Major Solar Flare

[Starfirebird]

Just found this info out a few minutes ago.I thought i would share this with everyone.

MAJOR SOLAR FLARE: Earth-orbiting satellites have just detected an X5-class solar flare from big sunspot AR1429. The blast peaked on March 7th at 00:28 UT. Radiation storms and radio blackouts are possible.

This is all the info we have to go on.

 

[Keef]

It peaked almost an hour ago now. How long does it take this stuff to reach earth? Are there any reports of auroras or interference or anything?

 

[Starfirebird]

I believe it takes 24 to 48 hours for it to reach earth.

The only info I have found is that there is a 40% chance the Flare will effect us and that high altitude sky watchers will see a great aurora show.

 

[Dotini]

I believe it takes 24 to 48 hours for it to reach earth.

The only info I have found is that there is a 40% chance the Flare will effect us and that high altitude sky watchers will see a great aurora show.

http://spaceweather.com/

Spaceweather.com (NASA) is your "go-to" source for info on this. It's an X5!

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

 

[Matty]

I believe it takes 24 to 48 hours for it to reach earth.

The only info I have found is that there is a 40% chance the Flare will effect us and that high altitude sky watchers will see a great aurora show.

Surely you mean high latitude right? And if so does that mean Ireland might get something similar to the northern lights?

 

[PeterJB]

There have been so many warnings of Solar Flares lately. But apart from producing aurora further south than normal, they haven't really done anything to us.

 

[zedextreme8177]

^ A real solar flare wouldn't do anything like this to us:

hopefully

 

[TankAss95]

http://spaceweather.com/

Spaceweather.com (NASA) is your "go-to" source for info on this. It's an X5!

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

 

[Dotini]

There have been so many warnings of Solar Flares lately. But apart from producing aurora further south than normal, they haven't really done anything to us.

The effect of a solar storm depends upon more than its strength.

Apparently, the Earth's magnetic field orientation has a major effect as well. If it points north, we're generally okay. If south, then more of the storm gets closer to the surface. Aurorae in the sky can't do harm. But if significant ground currents are set up, then powerlines and even pipelines could be adversely affected.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

 

[Touring Mars]

BBC showed an excellent documentary on solar flares just last night (Horizon), and it should be available to anyone in the UK via iPlayer.

 

[Starfirebird]

Surely you mean high latitude right? And if so does that mean Ireland might get something similar to the northern lights?

sorry about that i meant latitude.I was a bit tired last night when i posted that.

Here is today's info on this.

A CME propelled toward Earth by this morning's X5-class solar flare is expected to reach our planet on March 8th at 0625 UT (+/- 7 hr). Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab, who prepared the CME's forecast track, say the impact could spark a strong-to-severe geomagnetic storm. Sky watchers at all latitudes should be alert for auroras.

 

[Matty]

So would that be like the northern lights?

And may I ask what a geomagnetic storm is? I'm guessing it's to do with the poles but I could be wrong.

 

[PeterJB]

So would that be like the northern lights?

And may I ask what a geomagnetic storm is? I'm guessing it's to do with the poles but I could be wrong.

A geomagnetic storm is when the solar wind strikes the Earth's magnetosphere. It compresses the magnetic field and transfers energy from it's own magnetosphere into ours by compressing the day side of the field and extending the night side. This increases the movement of plasma in the magnetosphere which is what creates the aurora as the plasma travels down the field lines towards the poles.

 

[Matty]

A geomagnetic storm is when the solar wind strikes the Earth's magnetosphere. It compresses the magnetic field and transfers energy from it's own magnetosphere into ours by compressing the day side of the field and extending the night side. This increases the movement of plasma in the magnetosphere which is what creates the aurora as the plasma travels down the field lines towards the poles.

Thanks, I don't understand most of it but I understand the basics of what you mean 👍

Basically it creates auroras and makes the day shorter and night longer yes?

 

[PeterJB]

Thanks, I don't understand most of it but I understand the basics of what you mean 👍

Basically it creates auroras and makes the day shorter and night longer yes?

It doesn't change the length of the day. It just stretches the magnetic field out behind the Earth.

 

[Dotini]

Thanks, I don't understand most of it but I understand the basics of what you mean 👍

Basically it creates auroras and makes the day shorter and night longer yes?

Basically, it creates auroras and makes the airlines reroute their flights to avoid the pole. The length of night and day are not affected by solar or geomagnetic storms.

Respectfully,
Steve

 

[Villain]

Lovely. My girlfriend will be on a plane heading towards Alaska when this flare is supposed to arrive.

 

[niky]

Shame, it'll still be daylight here when it hits... I was looking forward to fireworks.

 

[Dotini]

Shame, it'll still be daylight here when it hits... I was looking forward to fireworks.

Don't forget that it will be +/- six or seven hours, so keep an eye peeled.

One of the really nifty and interesting things the sun does it accelerate CME particles in the solar wind to substantial fractions of light speed. But each event is unique; the precise mechanism and timing of arrival is not terribly well understood.

Respectfully,
Steve

 

[Sach]

Lovely. My girlfriend will be on a plane heading towards Alaska when this flare is supposed to arrive.

I'm uncomfortable flying as it is. Surely airlines take solar flares into consideration.

 

[Dotini]

I'm uncomfortable flying as it is. Surely airlines take solar flares into consideration.

Absolutely they do. They work very close together with FAA and all the weather (and spaceweather) apparatus at the command of the US and other world governments.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17295337

 

[niky]

Plus/Minus six or seven hours? Hope it's plus, so I can watch. And so I can unplug all my electronic devices and stuff them under lead shielding...

 

[Dotini]

Plus/Minus six or seven hours? Hope it's plus, so I can watch. And so I can unplug all my electronic devices and stuff them under lead shielding...

"There is the potential for induced currents in power grids," Kunches said. "Power grid operators have all been alerted. It could start to cause some unwanted induced currents."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17295337

 

[Sach]

So in regard to seeing the flare, how long will it last or be visible?

 

[Dotini]

So in regard to seeing the flare, how long will it last or be visible?

That depends mostly on your location and local weather, plus the strength of the storm. Check your local forecast.

You will not see the flare, which occurred on the sun, but only an aurora, also called northern lights.

 

[Jubby]

Ideally to see the flare, you'll want to be at or near between 50N/50S Long and 70N/70S Long. I've personally seen auroras around 44N.

 

[CodeRedR51]

So this is going to reach earth anytime in the next 9 hours?

 

[gjeff12]

So UT 0625 is 6:25am GMT? So for us on the west coast in PST it would be 10:25. Cool, maybe I'll see some here!

 

[jcm]

Did I miss it?

 

[lemansfanatic]

Wish i hadnt watched 2012 last night...