Major solar storm to reach Earth Wednesday
Posted: Wed, Oct 29, 2003, 7:55 AM ET (1255 GMT)
One of the biggest solar flares ever recorded erupted on the Sun Tuesday, triggering a potentially huge solar storm scheduled to reach the Earth Wednesday. The flare, an X17.2 on the scale of solar flare magnitudes, was spotted by the NASA/ESA SOHO spacecraft at 6:10 am EST (1110 GMT) Tuesday. The flare is the second-biggest observed by SOHO, and triggered a moderate radiation event that caused the crew of the International Space Station to briefly seek shelter in the heavier-shielded Russian section of the station five times on Tuesday. The storm of particles created by the flare is expected to reach Earth around 12 pm EST (1700 GMT) Wednesday. NOAA predicts the ensuing geomagnetic storm will measure a G4 on the G1-G5 scale, with the possibility of some periods of G5 activity. This storm has the potential to disrupt communications and power grids, damage satellites, and create auroral displays as far south as the southern US.
One of the biggest solar flares ever recorded erupted on the Sun Tuesday, triggering a potentially huge solar storm scheduled to reach the Earth Wednesday. The flare, an X17.2 on the scale of solar flare magnitudes, was spotted by the NASA/ESA SOHO spacecraft at 6:10 am EST (1110 GMT) Tuesday. The flare is the second-biggest observed by SOHO, and triggered a moderate radiation event that caused the crew of the International Space Station to briefly seek shelter in the heavier-shielded Russian section of the station five times on Tuesday. The storm of particles created by the flare is expected to reach Earth around 12 pm EST (1700 GMT) Wednesday. NOAA predicts the ensuing geomagnetic storm will measure a G4 on the G1-G5 scale, with the possibility of some periods of G5 activity. This storm has the potential to disrupt communications and power grids, damage satellites, and create auroral displays as far south as the southern US.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
China launches first Long March 12A, but booster landing fails
Posted: Sun, Dec 28 9:50 AM ET (1450 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, December 29
Iran Says It Launched 3 Satellites Into Space From Russia
AFP — 5:08 am ET (1008 GMT) Starlink withdraws satellite services from Papua New Guinea
Radio New Zealand — 5:07 am ET (1007 GMT) SpaceX Rocket Launch of Italian Satellite Scrubbed Again
Noozhawk — 5:04 am ET (1004 GMT) If we're going to vacation on the Moon, we need to make sure no-one is left behind
BBC — 5:03 am ET (1003 GMT) New Outer Hebrides spaceport won't launch rockets on a Sunday
The Sunday Post — 5:02 am ET (1002 GMT) |
