Solar Flares June 2011

[mahalla2]

Here is a link to information on the current solar flare activity - Are we being warned of something even more serious?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blo ... _blog.html

[Ace Rimmer]

Thanks so much for posting this Mahalla.

Excuse me while I go fill up some water jugs.

[mahalla2]

Thanks so much for posting this Mahalla.

Excuse me while I go fill up some water jugs.

yes, actually not a bad idea, and perhaps we should store them underground! (at least we live in the NW Metaluna where fresh water is still plentiful!)

[Ace Rimmer]

We have a few things stored up...we call it our Apocalypse Now stash, we have to keep our sense of humor atleast. (even though it's no laughing matter)

We are within easy walking distance of a large river, so that is something we are glad about.

[mahalla2]

We have a few things stored up...we call it our Apocalypse Now stash, we have to keep our sense of humor atleast. (even though it's no laughing matter)

We are within easy walking distance of a large river, so that is something we are glad about.

yes, and this is why I plan to remain in the northwest (we might die from other things but we won't perish from thirst!)

[Moon]

From what this article states, it will only affect cell phones and other electronics:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... r-blast-/1

[mahalla2]

From what this article states, it will only affect cell phones and other electronics:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... r-blast-/1

yes, but ultimately I was asking - Are these latest solar flares a warning (sign) of something even more serious that will take place?

[Moon]

yes, but ultimately I was asking - Are these latest solar flares a warning (sign) of something even more serious that will take place?

From what I have been reading, it just seems to be a regular solar cycle that happens every hundred years or so. Astronomers (and those who watch the auroras) will have plenty of excitement, but Mother Earth will protect us from any radiation from the Sun.

If we were as close as Mercury is, it would be a different story. Being 93 million miles away has its advantages.

[mahalla2]

yes, but ultimately I was asking - Are these latest solar flares a warning (sign) of something even more serious that will take place?

From what I have been reading, it just seems to be a regular solar cycle that happens every hundred years or so. Astronomers (and those who watch the auroras) will have plenty of excitement, but Mother Earth will protect us from any radiation from the Sun.

If we were as close as Mercury is, it would be a different story. Being 93 million miles away has its advantages.

well, here's what I have been reading and it differs somewhat from what you have stated but who knows?

The effects of solar flares, solar wind, solar storms and sunspots can be devastating on the Earth, and it is being particularly examined concerning 2012. High solar activity and the Earth don't mix well. What has alarmed NASA scientists is that the magnetic field of the Earth is decreasing, and that is the only component that protects the Earth from the sun's harmful rays. Besides the solar effects on the Earth, all communication and technology would be rendered useless as well if the magnetic field were decreased or the poles flip. Even if solar flares, solar wind, solar storms and sunspots aren't an issue, just the mere rays of the sun and the radiation that would enter the Earth's atmosphere would be enough to kill all plant life and therefore animal and human life in turn if the magnetic field were gone or severely reduced.

With the pole flip and pole reversal of the Earth being possible, and anomalies in the magnetic field of the Earth are already present, there is some concern about the magnetic field decreasing and what effect that would have on Earth life. Those who are in the deep underground bunkers might survive since those have been being set up for over 30 years for maintaining human, animal and plant life in case of an emergency. However, anyone on the surface would die just from the loss of plant life and climate on the Earth. That would happen anyway even if a solar plasma cloud, solar storm, solar wind or solar flare never reached the Earth. The effects would be dire just by the sun's radiation alone.

http://www.umsonline.org/2012/2012Pgs/S ... torms.html

[Moon]

The magnetic field of the Earth is getting ready to reverse itself. It does that every few hundred thousand years, and it is something to be concerned about if it happens during the solar activities. However, they are not sure when it will happen but usually give 1000 or so years from now.

It is the doomsayer stuff on the History Channel that makes people think the worst is going to happen in 2012. They do it for ratings, but they do misinform the public on the subject of the magnetic field and what is exactly happening.

The reality is the magnetic field will gain all of its strength back after the switch. It will also be strong during the switch, but not as strong as it is after the fact. It will still be strong enough to protect the life on Earth, but cell phones and other electronic gadgets will not be so lucky.

[mahalla2]

The magnetic field of the Earth is getting ready to reverse itself. It does that every few hundred thousand years, and it is something to be concerned about if it happens during the solar activities. However, they are not sure when it will happen but usually give 1000 or so years from now.

It is the doomsayer stuff on the History Channel that makes people think the worst is going to happen in 2012. They do it for ratings, but they do misinform the public on the subject of the magnetic field and what is exactly happening.

The reality is the magnetic field will gain all of its strength back after the switch. It will also be strong during the switch, but not as strong as it is after the fact. It will still be strong enough to protect the life on Earth, but cell phones and other electronic gadgets will not be so lucky.

Seems fairly difficult to me to determine just what will happen if all conditions are present but I like your comments Max so I hope you are correct.

[Theory]

Looks like being fried in 2012 or anytime in the next decade or so won't be happening..shucks That is if these guys are right.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110614/ts_afp/usspacesun

[mahalla2]

Looks like being fried in 2012 or anytime in the next decade or so won't be happening..shucks That is if these guys are right.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110614/ts_afp/usspacesun

yes, thanks Theory - I hope they are right too

[athena]

Wanted to share this new piece of news ... ????

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20 ... -big-chill

[Bob137]

Nasa put a a video and memo on state of emergency to it's employees last week, to get survival gear, and enough water, and food to last at least two to three days, what it is about, I am not sure, there is some that are speculating, that their latest insignia, of a red dwarf is actually in the Leo constellation, and is coming this way. Not sure if this is legitimate, but I believe t he NASA part is, not sure on the rest though, but it was done nicely. It is on You Tube, sorry did not get the URL.

[mahalla2]

Nasa put a a video and memo on state of emergency to it's employees last week, to get survival gear, and enough water, and food to last at least two to three days, what it is about, I am not sure, there is some that are speculating, that their latest insignia, of a red dwarf is actually in the Leo constellation, and is coming this way. Not sure if this is legitimate, but I believe t he NASA part is, not sure on the rest though, but it was done nicely. It is on You Tube, sorry did not get the URL.

yes, thanks for posting Bob - I had not heard of NASA's red dwarf but I found this article online this morning about killer red stars:

http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/34 ... ten-earth/

[Bob137]

Our weather is sure heating up around here, and doing other strange things all over the earth, and we are having more earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanoe eruptions, I wonder how much more we will get not just form solar flares, but on another post of comet Elenin coming our way this September. We may all be inf or a lot mroe than jsut what we have had so far?

[mahalla2]

Our weather is sure heating up around here, and doing other strange things all over the earth, and we are having more earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanoe eruptions, I wonder how much more we will get not just form solar flares, but on another post of comet Elenin coming our way this September. We may all be inf or a lot mroe than jsut what we have had so far?

yes, and as my son told me this morning "If it's not one thing it's something else"

[athena]

Now I don't want to sound like an alarmist because ... I don't carry the fear thing around me ... but I found the last paragraph in this ariticle quite interesting ... I will let you read it ... Athena

http://earthsky.org/space/x-class-solar ... rora-alert

[Bob137]

Thanks for the info Athena.

[athena]

[It seem's this video came out just recently ... don't know how true it is but what happened to the nation of Chile loosing it's power grid ... Be aware of large solar flare activity or CME activity in the next few days ... Oct. 3 maybe sooner. Also think it kind of funny how all of a sudden there are several people retiring at NASA ... some are not in retirement age ??? Makes one wonder after they just sent their second notice out about a possible "Something could possibly happen" kind of letters saying ... be ready for catastrophy with making sure you have food and water and a shelter to go to ??? What's up with that ... second time in a few short months. athena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP3GeBBs3xU&feature=related

[athena]

http://spaceweather.com/

All the activity is coming off this one spot and guess what ... it's coming around to the point anything that is ejected is aimed right at the Earth .... ????

[Bob137]

I seen on astronomy.com that yesterday was a mass ejection and hit the Northern U.S. and Canada.

[athena]

I seen on astronomy.com that yesterday was a mass ejection and hit the Northern U.S. and Canada.

I posted in the other Solar Flare activity group some information about a solar Flare that was eected on September 30. and it says we will be seeing and feeling the effects by Oct 3rd . athena

[tajds5]

Consider this:
A massive CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) triggers a major geomagnetic storm. This storm is so powerful that it knocks out 50% of the satellites, power grids, etc around the world. It is a few days before Christmas. Most people in the US will have overextended themselves to some extent preparing for the holidays. It is extremely cold. You are running short of ready cash.

How long will it take to restore power? Will electronic gas/kerosene pumps work at the service station? Will gas furnaces work without electric? Will home security systems work at the one time of year that a burglar KNOWS you will have something to steal? Will land line phones continue to work? If all electronic devices fail, could you survive? Think about that.

You can't drive your newer model cars- the computer chips are fried. You can't use your credit card- electricity is out. Can't use your cell phone- no signal. No heat either if you depend on traditional furnaces. Can't check the state of affairs because you have no internet- remember the electricity is out and your satellite is trashed. No television either. Most likely the radio waves have been disrupted, so you probably can't get info that way. You can't bop down to the local Wal-mart for food and supplies. They are closed. The new trucks they have delivering the goods you need have damaged electronics. All million of them. Do you think your local auto parts store has a million parts in stock? If they do, were they damaged as well? How long will it take for new ones to be built, ordered, shipped? How much food do you have that doesn't require refrigeration?

Being prepared is NOT being paranoid. Researching what you need for survival in the event of a catastrophe makes sense. We have lived a soft life for a long time. Just 150 years ago our ancestors would have been prepared on a daily basis. They stocked what they would need for the long winter months when outside help would not be readily available to them. Staple foods, fuel, candles, lanterns, blankets, water supply, etc. Take 5 minutes to sit down and make a list of things you would need to survive for 3 months and how you would get them without using ANY technological advances. Warning: It might get a little scary.

[Polaris]

Check out this site... visually see the results of CME's...

http://astronomynorth.com/

[tajds5]

January 21, 2009: Did you know a solar flare can make your toilet stop working?

That's the surprising conclusion of a NASA-funded study by the National Academy of Sciences entitled Severe Space Weather Events—Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts. In the 132-page report, experts detailed what might happen to our modern, high-tech society in the event of a "super solar flare" followed by an extreme geomagnetic storm. They found that almost nothing is immune from space weather—not even the water in your bathroom.

See http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12507&page=1 for a summary on Severe Space Weather Events—Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts.

See http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2009/01/21/21jan_severespaceweather_resources/transformermap.jpg to see Power transformers that are most susceptible to failure if a massive geomagnetic storm happens.

To estimate the scale of such a failure, report co-author John Kappenmann of the Metatech Corporation looked at the great geomagnetic storm of May 1921, which produced ground currents as much as ten times stronger than the 1989 Quebec storm, and modeled its effect on the modern power grid. He found more than 350 transformers at risk of permanent damage and 130 million people without power. The loss of electricity would ripple across the social infrastructure with "water distribution affected within several hours; perishable foods and medications lost in 12-24 hours; loss of heating/air conditioning, sewage disposal, phone service, fuel re-supply and so on."

From website: http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2009/01/21/21jan_severespaceweather_resources/transformermap.jpg

[athena]

A friend of mine got this ...and then I got something similar from Comcast stating an emergency awareness test ... I have had Comcast for quite a few years now and wonder "Why NOW" ...


From: HQ-NASA INC
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 8:41 AM
Subject: Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test - Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2 p.m. EST

AGENCYWIDE MESSAGE TO ALL NASA EMPLOYEES
Point of Contact: Bill Lowry, Office of Protective Services, NASA Headquarters,
202-358-2975
---------------------------------------------
Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test – Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2 p.m. EST
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will conduct the first nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. EST.
The national-level EAS is a national public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Alerting authorities can leverage the state and local EAS to send alerts and warnings to radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline providers.
The test may look like regular, local EAS tests that most people are already familiar with, but there will be some differences in what viewers will see and hear. The audio message will repeat “This is a test.” The test will be conducted on all participating radio, television, cable and satellite providers (who are called EAS Participants).
The video message scroll may not indicate “This is a test.” The message will last for approximately 30 seconds and then regular programming will resume.
As the federal, state, and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that all NASA employees should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves and their families.

As Administrator Bolden has said, remember to “Know Your Stuff” and “Be Prepared.”

------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice is being sent agencywide to all employees by NASA INC in the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters.






Dear Comcast Customer:

On Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the nation's first ever Emergency Alert System (EAS) test. The purpose of this test is to help determine if the national-level system will work as designed, should officials ever need to send a national alert.

This test will last approximately three minutes and will be seen on all local, cable, and satellite TV stations across the country, as well as radio.

Here's What You Should Know

Your Comcast programming will be temporarily interrupted. However, as soon as the test ends, you will be returned to your regularly scheduled programming. While we do not anticipate an interruption in your service, in some rare cases, you may need to:
.
• Use your remote to channel up and then channel down or power down your box to fully restore programming after the test completes.
.
• Any DVR recordings that are in progress during this test will be interrupted, and in some cases, lost.
.


If you experience the Emergency Alert System message for more than five minutes, please do the following:
• Power-cycle your cable box by unplugging the power cord from the outlet
.
• Wait thirty seconds and then plug it back in

The guide data and Video On Demand content will take a period of time to fully restore. Please wait 20 minutes before choosing Video On Demand as this might result in other errors with your box. To watch a video and learn more on how to Power-cycle, CLICK HERE.

To learn more about the national EAS test, visit us at: http://www.comcast.com/nationaleastest/ or visit FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm or the FCC at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test

We thank you for being a loyal Comcast customer.

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[athena]

Take a look at this ... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/07/coronal-mass-ejection-solar-flare_n_1080857.html?ref=green&ir=Green

[Bob137]

That link had a report from the associated press that stated: solar flares will be in our direction within the next two weeks?

[Ace Rimmer]

The article.....
The sun was on fire last week.

Sorry, we couldn't resist. But when it came to solar activity, the big shining star didn't let us down.

On Thursday, NASA recorded two separate instances of notable solar activity: a coronal mass ejection (CME) followed by an X-class solar flare. And lucky for us, we have evidence of both.

Solar Flare:

According to NASA, a solar flare is a huge explosion of radiation that produces a burst of light and energy. They're associated with sunspots, earth-sized dark areas of the sun that are cooler in temperature than other areas of the star.

The solar flare that occurred on Thursday was an X-class solar flare, the strongest type. It reportedly caused a disturbance to some radio equipment about 45 minutes after erupted. It happened at about 3:27 p.m. EDT.

Coronal Mass Ejection:

A coronal mass ejection, or CME, is a huge blast of solar wind made up of gas and magnetic fields. According to Discover Magazine's Bad Astronomer, they're sometimes associated with solar flares, but can also happen independently.

From Space.com:

It takes several hours for the CME to detach itself from the sun, but once it does, it races away at speeds of up to 1,000 km (more than 7 million miles per hour). The cloud of hot plasma and charged particles may be up to a hundred billion kilograms (220 billion pounds) in size.
NASA caught the CME, the video of which is available above, at 8:45 p.m. EDT with one of its two Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft monitoring the sun.

In October, a comet hit the sun and, a few minutes later, a CME occurred on the other side. Despite the appearance in a video that the comet caused the explosion, scientists said that the two events were unrelated.

The Associated Press reports that over the next two weeks, an area of the sun that's particularly active with solar storms is going to be facing the Earth.

[Ace Rimmer]

The article.....
The sun was on fire last week.

Sorry, we couldn't resist. But when it came to solar activity, the big shining star didn't let us down.

On Thursday, NASA recorded two separate instances of notable solar activity: a coronal mass ejection (CME) followed by an X-class solar flare. And lucky for us, we have evidence of both.

Solar Flare:

According to NASA, a solar flare is a huge explosion of radiation that produces a burst of light and energy. They're associated with sunspots, earth-sized dark areas of the sun that are cooler in temperature than other areas of the star.

The solar flare that occurred on Thursday was an X-class solar flare, the strongest type. It reportedly caused a disturbance to some radio equipment about 45 minutes after erupted. It happened at about 3:27 p.m. EDT.

Coronal Mass Ejection:

A coronal mass ejection, or CME, is a huge blast of solar wind made up of gas and magnetic fields. According to Discover Magazine's Bad Astronomer, they're sometimes associated with solar flares, but can also happen independently.

From Space.com:

It takes several hours for the CME to detach itself from the sun, but once it does, it races away at speeds of up to 1,000 km (more than 7 million miles per hour). The cloud of hot plasma and charged particles may be up to a hundred billion kilograms (220 billion pounds) in size.
NASA caught the CME, the video of which is available above, at 8:45 p.m. EDT with one of its two Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft monitoring the sun.

In October, a comet hit the sun and, a few minutes later, a CME occurred on the other side. Despite the appearance in a video that the comet caused the explosion, scientists said that the two events were unrelated.

The Associated Press reports that over the next two weeks, an area of the sun that's particularly active with solar storms is going to be facing the Earth.

[Augmented Ape]

Check out solar activity here, http://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/beacon/beacon_secchi.shtml its pretty impressive

How does one post links on here ?

[Sunrisepony]

Just like that, they are only "Copy/Paste" links do to some modifications our lovely Mods and Admins had to make to the boards in the process of dealing with spammers.

[Moon]

Fascinating articles, Luna. Thank you for sharing them.