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
|
|
NASA releases report on Starliner crewed test flight problems
Posted: Sun, Feb 22 11:45 AM ET (1645 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, February 28
Firefly set to launch Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Saturday
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 9:38 am ET (1438 GMT) Firefly Aerospace Alpha Rocket Ready for Return to Flight at Vandenberg
Noozhawk — 9:37 am ET (1437 GMT) Space Command offers bonuses for Huntsville move
Axios — 9:35 am ET (1435 GMT) Firefly Alpha FLTA007 “Stairway to Seven” set for launch from California coast
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 9:34 am ET (1434 GMT) Rocket Lab Delays Neutron Flight To Late 2026 After Test Failure
Aviation Week — 9:33 am ET (1433 GMT) |
