THE SUN -- Friend Or Foe? What's Coming - The Effects on Earth - Current Happenings

[Judee]

No, it isn't good. We could be in for some wild weather, quakes, volcanic events, etc. as a result of what is happening right now Mary.

:Issued: 2011 Feb 15 0241 UTC
:Product: documentation at http://www.sidc.be/products/flaremail
#--------------------------------------------------------------------#
# Large flare alerts from the SIDC (RWC-Belgium), detected in GOES #
# X-ray data #
#--------------------------------------------------------------------#
A class X2.3 solar X-ray flare occurred on 2011/02/15 with peak time 01:56 UT

#--------------------------------------------------------------------#
# Solar Influences Data analysis Center - RWC Belgium #
# Royal Observatory of Belgium

[maryals]

OH...X Class Flare...I know that is very very bad....keep us posted, thanks

Mary and Baby

[maryals]

FIRST X-FLARE OF THE NEW SOLAR CYCLE: Sunspot 1158 has unleashed the strongest solar flare in more than four years. The eruption, which peaked at 0156 UT on Feb. 15th, registered X2 on the Richter scale of solar flares. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded an intense flash of extreme ultraviolet radiation, circled below:

X-flares are the strongest type of solar flare, and this is the first such eruption of new Solar Cycle 24. In addition to flashing Earth with UV radiation, the explosion also hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) in our direction. The expanding cloud may be seen in this movie from NASA's STEREO-B spacecraft. Geomagnetic storms are possible when the CME arrives 36 to 48 hours hence. Stay tuned for updates.

©2010 Spaceweather.com. All rights reserved. This site is penned daily by Dr. Tony Phillips.
http://spaceweather.com/

Mary and Baby

[maryals]

The Classification of X-ray Solar Flares
or "Solar Flare Alphabet Soup"

A solar flare is an explosion on the Sun that happens when energy stored in twisted magnetic fields (usually above sunspots) is suddenly released. Flares produce a burst of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to x-rays and gamma-rays. [more information]

Scientists classify solar flares according to their x-ray brightness in the wavelength range 1 to 8 Angstroms. There are 3 categories: X-class flares are big; they are major events that can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms. M-class flares are medium-sized; they can cause brief radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow an M-class flare. Compared to X- and M-class events, C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth.

Article and Charts

There is a link in the above article to what is called "The Bastille Day Event". It occurred July 14, 2000, an X6 flare came off the Sun.
Again, during the next few days, look for some awesome "Roarers" as I call them, perhaps seen further South than usual.

Mary and Baby

[Dark Skies]

Guess I better find some SPF 5000 sunscreen.

[maryals]

So, yesterday...Feb 15, 2011, James and me go out...it's a clear day...and I swear that sun is whiter and brighter than ever before. Most of the sky was white....not clouds....but white from the brightness of the sun and the rest of the sky was the palest blue I've ever seen

Mary and Baby

[Judee]

So, yesterday...Feb 15, 2011, James and me go out...it's a clear day...and I swear that sun is whiter and brighter than ever before. Most of the sky was white....not clouds....but white from the brightness of the sun and the rest of the sky was the palest blue I've ever seen

Mary and Baby

I know exactly what you mean Mary. I just don't understand why more people aren't noticing the change in the sun.

[Judee]

Space weather disrupts communications, threatens other technologies on Earth
February 18th, 2011

(PhysOrg.com) -- A powerful solar flare has ushered in the largest space weather storm in at least four years and has already disrupted some ground communications on Earth, said University of Colorado Boulder Professor Daniel Baker, an internationally known space weather expert.

Classified as a Class X flare, the Feb. 15 event also spewed billions of tons of charged particles toward Earth in what are called coronal mass ejections and ignited a geomagnetic storm in Earth's magnetic field, said Baker, director of CU-Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. Such powerful ejections can cause a variety of socioeconomic and safety issues ranging from the disruption of airline navigation systems and power grids to the safety of airline crews and astronauts.

"The sun is coming back to life," said Baker, who chaired a 2008 National Research Council committee that produced a report titled "Severe Space Weather Events -- Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts." For the past several years the sun has been in its most quiescent state since early in the 20th century, said Baker.

From a scientific standpoint a class X event -- the most powerful kind of solar flare -- is exciting, said Baker, also a CU-Boulder professor in the astrophysical and planetary sciences department. "But as a society, we can't afford to let our guard down when operating spacecraft in the near-Earth environment."

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, several more coronal mass ejections may reach Earth's atmosphere in the next day or two.

"Human dependence on technology makes society more susceptible to the effects of space weather," Baker said. "But scientists and engineers have made great strides in recent decades regarding this phenomenon.

"We understand much more about what is happening and can build more robust systems to withstand the effects," Baker said. "It will be interesting to see how well our technological systems will withstand the rigors of space weather as the sun gets back to higher activity levels."

Baker also spearheaded a 2006 NRC report titled "Space Radiation Hazards and the Vision for Space." The report considered the effects of space weather events on human explorers venturing beyond low-Earth orbit. The National Research Council is a federal organization created by the National Academy of Sciences.

Provided by University of Colorado at Boulder

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-02-...hnologies.html

[DarkoMarco]

In all seriousness, does this mean nude sun bathing on my backyard hammock is now a bad idea.

[Judee]

In all seriousness, does this mean nude sun bathing on my backyard hammock is now a bad idea.

If you don't want everything burned to a crisp, then yes it's probably a bad idea!

[Judee]

Space Weather News for Feb. 24, 2011
http://spaceweather.com

SPECTACULAR BLAST: A massive cloud of plasma exploded over the eastern limb of the sun this morning (Feb. 24th around 0730 UT), heralding the approach of a new active region. The spectacular blast, which produced strong radio emissions, a coronal mass ejection, and an M3-class solar flare, was not Earth-directed. Future eruptions could be, however, as the sun's rotation turns the blast site toward our planet in the days ahead. Check http://spaceweather.com for images and movies.

[Judee]

Space Weather News for March 1, 2011
http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field during the early hours of March 1st. The impact sparked a polar geomagnetic storm that was, at first, minor, but the storm has been intensifying throughout the day. If the trend continues, high-latitude sky watchers will likely witness bright auroras after nightfall on March 1-2. Northern-tier US states such as Maine, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington could be favored with photographic and/or visual displays. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

[maryals]

Apparently there were Northern Lights in the skies over Anchorage, early Tuesday morning. I missed them. I'll try and stay up to see them Wednesday morning. Sometimes they can be seen around midnight, sometimes not till 2 or 3 a.m.

Mary and Baby