[headdie]

Biggest solar storm since 2005

The radiation storm is the largest of its kind since 2005 but still ranks only a three on the scale of one to five, enough to be considered "strong" but not "severe," he added.
NOAA said its website the S3 ranking means "it could, e.g., cause isolated reboots of computers onboard Earth-orbiting satellites and interfere with polar radio communications."
Biesecker said that when it comes to radiation storms, the polar regions are affected most.
For instance, the storm could spell disruptions to airline flights, oil operations, Arctic exploration and space satellites.
Night-sky viewers in Asia and Europe may be able to witness the aurora, or Northern Lights, late Tuesday as a result of the storm.

[deathfun]

I haven't seen an Aurora Borealis in ages. I miss living on the Prairies...

But this is pretty damned cool

[Klaustrophobia]

i love how people are freaking out about it like everyone who goes outside is going to be incinerated by the "solar blast."  can you imagine if this had happened in (the coming) december instead?

[headdie]

you know i really should have quoted this at the bottom of my op lol

"We don't expect major impacts from an event like this," Biesecker said.
"It's the people who need GPS (global positioning system) accuracy of centimeters who have to worry, not people who want to know if you're going to turn the car 30 meters (100 feet) ahead."

[watsisname]

www.sec.noaa.gov

Currently a level 3 (strong) radiation storm.

Biological: radiation hazard avoidance recommended for astronauts on EVA; passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at high latitudes may be exposed to radiation risk.***

Satellite operations: single-event upsets, noise in imaging systems, and slight reduction of efficiency in solar panel are likely.

Other systems: degraded HF radio propagation through the polar regions and navigation position errors likely.

*** High energy particle measurements (>100 MeV) are a better indicator of radiation risk to passenger and crews. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible.

There are typically 10 events of this magnitude per solar cycle.


edit:  And our magnetic field just got hit by the CME. 

edit2:  And the Aurora's respond. 

Amazing how all these systems interact.

[Mika]

There have been reports from Longyearbyen (Norway) and Kiruna (Sweden) that they have a rather good show.

Here, 200 km to south from the Arctic Circle I didn't see any yet. But Kiruna is about 200 km above the Arctic Circle. I suspect my relatives in Northern Finland will enjoy the show as well.

And the guys at Sodankylä observatory are likely happy as well.

[Nuke]

were overcast right now, fat chance in me seeing any light show.

[Klaustrophobia]

i wonder if my dosimeter for work picks up anything extra this week.  probably not. 

[deathfun]

Woke up with a headache
Blamed the radiation

On the subject of things happening in 2012, I wouldn't put it past NASA to do something like this again to troll everyone

[headdie]

On the subject of things happening in 2012, I wouldn't put it past NASA to do something like this again to troll everyone

Nar i think its the Volcanologists turn next

[watsisname]

go go gadget Yellowstone!