Solar Flare – Potential Chaos
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Cloud of charged particles from
solar flare will pass Earth today
NASA announced on June 7 the Sun unleashed an M-2 (medium-sized) solar flare, an S1-class (minor) radiation storm and a spectacular coronal mass ejection (CME). The biggest cloud of charged particles for years is moving towards Earth at a rate of at 1400 km/s and is expected to reach early today (June 9.)
What causes a solar flare?
A solar flare is caused when intense burst of radiation comes from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. Flares are the solar system’s largest explosive events. A CME happens when the outer solar magnetic fields are closed, often above sunspot groups, and the confined solar atmosphere can suddenly and violently release bubbles of gas and magnetic fields.
Due to the CME, a cloud of charged particles will pass by the Earth and may even affect satellite and communication systems.
While a strong solar flare increases the chance of a spectacular light show, the electromagnetic pulse can also disrupt power grids and radio traffic when it passes the Earth. Some industries that are usually affected by solar flares include electrical power grid companies, airlines, GPS, military and ocean shipping routes.
The largest solar flare ever recorded was in 1859
The solar storm of 1859, also known as the Solar Superstorm, or the Carrington Event, which occurred during solar cycle 10, was the most powerful solar storm in recorded history, and the largest flare, observed by Richard Christopher Carrington, became known as the Carrington Super Flare.
From August 28, 1859 until September 2, numerous sunspots and solar flares were observed on the sun. Just before noon on September 1, the British astronomer Richard Carrington observed the largest flare, which caused a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) to travel directly toward Earth, taking 18 hours. This is remarkable because such a journey normally takes three to four days. It moved so quickly because an earlier CME had cleared its way.
On September 1–2, 1859, the largest recorded geomagnetic storm occurred. Aurorae were seen around the world, most notably over the Caribbean; also noteworthy were those over the Rocky Mountains that were so bright that their glow awoke gold miners, who began preparing breakfast because they thought it was morning.
Telegraph systems all over Europe and North America failed in some cases even shocking telegraph operators. Telegraph pylons threw sparks and telegraph paper spontaneously caught fire. Some telegraph systems appeared to continue to send and receive messages despite having been disconnected from their power supplies.
News coverage of 1859 solar flare
On September 3, 1859, the Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser reported, “Those who happened to be out late on Thursday night had an opportunity of witnessing another magnificent display of the auroral lights. The phenomena was very similar to the display on Sunday night, though at times the light was, if possible, more brilliant, and the prismatic hues more varied and gorgeous. The light appeared to cover the whole firmament, apparently like a luminous cloud, through which the stars of the larger magnitude indistinctly shone. The light was greater than that of the moon at its full, but had an indescribable softness and delicacy that seemed to envelop everything upon which it rested. Between 12 and 1 o’clock, when the display was at its full brilliancy, the quiet streets of the city resting under this strange light, presented a beautiful as well as singular appearance.”
Hope the solar flare does not disrupt your day.
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I am really thankful to the holder of this site who has shared this
great piece of writing at here.
There are many factors that evidence is pointing to that can bring us into an apocalyptic setting in the year 2012. In the event of a solar flare, 2012 has brought us onto major concerns over the type of effects that will come from this event. It has been concluded that in the event of this it can indeed bring a conclusion to be of an apocalyptic like situation. So, what type of events can come from an occurrence of these solar flares? This is just one of the questions I will provide an answer for throughout this article.
Looks like the sun puked up something.
Great read. I hope this doesn’t mess with my satellite TV 🙂
Thanks for that interesting historical reference, Holte. Let’s see what might happen today!
Little bit of history never hurt anybody.