What's the big deal with "SOLAR FLARE"?

[CountryWolf07]

People are saying it'll be bad?? :confused:

[ramanth]

Technically, it already happened (is happening).

Last Friday was said to be the worst day. It disrupted cell phones and things like that. Also, many northern states could see the Northern Lights that normally can't. (It was too cloudy in MI that day :( )

There was a Solar Flare yesterday also, but it won't reach Earth till sometime today.

Tuesday's Solar Flare Largest Ever Seen (http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/10.28Flare.html)

Yes there will be a slight increase in radiation so if you're in a very sunny location, wear sunscreen, but the worst these flares do is disrupt cell phones, sattelites and the such.

:)

[ramanth]

Here's another article from CNN.com :)

Sun blast hurls gas cloud at Earth (http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/10/29/solar.flares.ap/index.html)


The explosion of gas and charged particles into space from the corona, the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, isn't harmful to people. But it can knock out satellite communications, which some emergency crews are relying on in battling California's wildfires.

Similar solar events in recent years have disrupted television transmissions, GPS navigation, oil pipeline controls and even the flow of electricity along power lines.

[babolaypo65]

Not again! My cel phone was pretty screwy last weekend, as was my text pager. darn!!!!!

[RICHARD]

SPF 35!!!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I think it's cool because the Northern Lights might be visible to those of us who don't often get to see them. I'll definitely be out tonight looking. The last time I saw the Northern Lights was probably 10-15 years ago near Green Bay, WI. The sky was incredible! It was all orangey, pinky and purply and kind of swirling around and constantly changing. It was totally awesome and I would love to see something even remotely near to that again! :)

[popcornbird]

Is the Solar Flame the reason why its so unusually hot here?

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
I think it's cool because the Northern Lights might be visible to those of us who don't often get to see them. I'll definitely be out tonight looking. The last time I saw the Northern Lights was probably 10-15 years ago near Green Bay, WI. The sky was incredible! It was all orangey, pinky and purply and kind of swirling around and constantly changing. It was totally awesome and I would love to see something even remotely near to that again! :)


lol,

I went 'cosmic bowling' a few weeks ago and had the biggest head rush.....lol, my past catching up with me....

I hope you get a show tonight!!

have fun and don't stay out too late!!

[CountryWolf07]

Cool.. if it isn't cloudy tonight here in Ohio.. then I will look out for it! Interesting..

[Kiia]

Have a look here: http://www.spaceweather.com/

And for pictures look here: http://science.nasa.gov/spaceweather/aurora/gallery_01oct03_page3.html

[IttyBittyKitty]

Those whizz-bang satellites and those new-fangled mobile phones are brought down by a SOLAR FART?

[ramanth]

Kiia, thanks so much for that link! Those images are gorgeous! I'll try and see if we can see the Aurora tonight... was too cloudly again last night. :(