Tweet
This was on Fox News 11. It doesn't specifically mention regular radio waves, but the ham bands may be very interesting during this solar storm.
Solar Storm to Light Up Earth Sky
Updated: Wednesday, 04 Aug 2010, 8:07 AM PDT
Published : Wednesday, 04 Aug 2010, 7:54 AM PDT(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Wednesday and Thursday, sky gazers may see a bit of a light show as the sun "wakes up."
According to a press release from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophyics , the sun's surface erupted and shot out tons of plasma or ionized atoms onto space early Sunday morning. These particles are headed Earth's way.
"This eruption is directed right at us, and is expected to get here early in the day on August 4," said the center's astronomer Leon Golub, who said it's the first large Earth-directed eruption "in quite some time."
"We got a beautiful view of this eruption," he said. "And there might be more beautiful views to come, if it triggers aurorae."
According to the release, if a coronal mass ejection reaches Earth it interacts with the planet's magnetic solar system and creates a geomagnetic storm. Solar particles stream down toward Earth's poles, colliding with atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere which then "glows like miniature neon signs."
Boston.com reported that the latest estimates are that the plasma will arrive in four waves: the first one happened at 3 a.m. (ET) Wednesday, then others at 1 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Wednesday, and 2 a.m. Thursday, said David Aguilar, a spokesman for the Harvard-Smithsonian center.
The New Scientist said satellites could be affected. A gust of solar particles was possibly to blame in April for putting Intelsat's Galaxy 15 out of order.
MSNBC.com's Cosmic Log blog suggested otherwise. There is not expected to be any disruption of power grids, satellites or navigation systems unlike more serious storms such as the 1989 solar outburst that caused a nine-hour electrical blackout in Quebec.
As far as the light show, MSNBC.com said observers in the northern section of the United States should be watching out for waves of reddish or greenish light. It has been known to dip lower before as well.
To see it, the best advice is to get away from city lights and go somewhere with a clear view of the north
Solar Storm to Light Up Earth Sky
Updated: Wednesday, 04 Aug 2010, 8:07 AM PDT
Published : Wednesday, 04 Aug 2010, 7:54 AM PDT(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Wednesday and Thursday, sky gazers may see a bit of a light show as the sun "wakes up."
According to a press release from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophyics , the sun's surface erupted and shot out tons of plasma or ionized atoms onto space early Sunday morning. These particles are headed Earth's way.
"This eruption is directed right at us, and is expected to get here early in the day on August 4," said the center's astronomer Leon Golub, who said it's the first large Earth-directed eruption "in quite some time."
"We got a beautiful view of this eruption," he said. "And there might be more beautiful views to come, if it triggers aurorae."
According to the release, if a coronal mass ejection reaches Earth it interacts with the planet's magnetic solar system and creates a geomagnetic storm. Solar particles stream down toward Earth's poles, colliding with atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere which then "glows like miniature neon signs."
Boston.com reported that the latest estimates are that the plasma will arrive in four waves: the first one happened at 3 a.m. (ET) Wednesday, then others at 1 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Wednesday, and 2 a.m. Thursday, said David Aguilar, a spokesman for the Harvard-Smithsonian center.
The New Scientist said satellites could be affected. A gust of solar particles was possibly to blame in April for putting Intelsat's Galaxy 15 out of order.
MSNBC.com's Cosmic Log blog suggested otherwise. There is not expected to be any disruption of power grids, satellites or navigation systems unlike more serious storms such as the 1989 solar outburst that caused a nine-hour electrical blackout in Quebec.
As far as the light show, MSNBC.com said observers in the northern section of the United States should be watching out for waves of reddish or greenish light. It has been known to dip lower before as well.
To see it, the best advice is to get away from city lights and go somewhere with a clear view of the north