a once-in-a-generation “space storm” to hit tuesday... This may disrupt your daily routine... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/...ts-braced-for-solar-tsunami-to-hit-earth.html The solar fireworks at the weekend were recorded by several satellites, including Nasa’s new Solar Dynamics Observatory which watched its shock wave rippling outwards. Astronomers from all over the world witnessed the huge flare above a giant sunspot the size of the Earth, which they linked to an even larger eruption across the surface of Sun. The explosion, called a coronal mass ejection, was aimed directly towards Earth, which then sent a “solar tsunami” racing 93 million miles across space. Images from the SDO hint at a shock wave travelling from the flare into space, the New Scientist reported. Experts said the wave of supercharged gas will likely reach the Earth on Tuesday, when it will buffet the natural magnetic shield protecting Earth. It is likely to spark spectacular displays of the aurora or northern and southern lights. "This eruption is directed right at us," said Leon Golub, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). "It's the first major Earth-directed eruption in quite some time." Scientists have warned that a really big solar eruption could destroy satellites and wreck power and communications grids around the globe if it happened today. Nasa recently warned that Britain could face widespread power blackouts and be left without critical communication signals for long periods of time, after the earth is hit by a once-in-a-generation “space storm”. The Daily Telegraph disclosed in June that senior space agency scientists believed the Earth will be hit with unprecedented levels of magnetic energy from solar flares after the Sun wakes “from a deep slumber” sometime around 2013. It remains unclear, however, how much damage this latest eruption will cause the world’s communication tools. Dr Lucie Green, of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Surrey, followed the flare-ups using Japan's orbiting Hinode telescope. "What wonderful fireworks the Sun has been producing,” the UK solar expert said. “This was a very rare event – not one, but two almost simultaneous eruptions from different locations on the sun were launched toward the Earth. "These eruptions occur when immense magnetic structures in the solar atmosphere lose their stability and can no longer be held down by the Sun's huge gravitational pull. Just like a coiled spring suddenly being released, they erupt into space.” She added: "It looks like the first eruption was so large that it changed the magnetic fields throughout half the Sun's visible atmosphere and provided the right conditions for the second eruption. "Both eruptions could be Earth-directed but may be travelling at different speeds. “This means we have a very good chance of seeing major and prolonged effects, such as the northern lights at low latitudes." A Nasa spokesman was unavailable for comment.
New Zealand star gazers are hoping for a spectacular show tonight, following a burst of solar activity. A series of enormous sun flares has boosted the likelihood the country will witness aurora australis, or the Southern Lights. But not everyone will get the same view. *Have you snapped any great photos of the Southern Lights? Email us: noles@tv3.co.nz Solar flares are massive explosions on the sun's surface, and are often pretty spectacular. But for the last few years New Zealand’s closest star has been noticeably quiet - until now. “It's not particularly powerful but what is unusual about this, particularly unusual, is that we have two simultaneous explosions on the sun,” says Dr Grant Christie, of the Stardome Observatory. Watch the extended interview with Dr Grant Christie The "solar tsunami" that was seen rippling across the sun's surface on Sunday, was one of two that shot high energy particles out through space like a shotgun blast. “As these high energy particles hit the atmosphere they cause it fluoresce, like neon lights,” says Mr Christie. The contact with the earth’s atmosphere causes the spectacular Southern Lights. Tekapo photographer Fraser Gunn has been capturing the phenomenon for years – he is eager to see just how big this event might be. “There will be an aurora happening, how long it will last for, how big it will be is still anybody's guess,” he says. “…but I can only hope it's going to be a really huge one!” Usually it is regions closer to the poles that can see the Southern Lights rather then their northern counterparts. “This far north in the country it would have to be a very strong event and you only see the top part of it this far north - it would only be a red glow in the sky,” says Mr Christie. Mr Gunn says there's no knowing just how impressive the nighttime display may be. “With the time lapse photography the camera can gather all that light and it can look absolutely spectacular, but for your eye to be able to see it it needs to be very bright and very active,” he says. Mr Christie says if you miss out tonight, not to worry. “If you're interested in aurora, they're only going to get better for the next three or four years,” he says. If they are big enough, solar flares can wreak havoc with communications and power grids, but thankfully tonight's event is nowhere near that size.
Northern lights expected in Michigan THE DETROIT NEWS Michigan could see a colorful light show over the next two days after two minor solar storms flared on Sunday and are shooting tons of plasma directly at Earth. Scientists said residents of northern regions of Michigan to Maine -- and anywhere farther north around the globe -- may see unusual northern lights. Usually only regions closer to the Arctic can see the aurora of rippling reds and greens, but solar storms pull them south. The federal Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo., said the plasma will likely arrive late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The storms are not much of a threat to satellites or power grids. On Aug. 12, the Perseid meteor showers will light up the sky with best viewing after 11 p.m. Some two dozen meteors are expected to streak across the sky every hour. From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/2010...ern-lights-expected-in-Michigan#ixzz0vY5fKPoj
Guess I better start loading my magazines in preparation for the "End-of-the-Earth" crazies out there
The sun has kept quiet longer than normal, which means the 11 years cycle is modified. The solar activity will show us which of the satellites launched in the last dozen years or so isn't shielded enough against solar wind. Will also stress the resilience of power grids close enough to the poles.