Solar Storm Headed Toward Earth May Disrupt Power

[redmanjp]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/solar-storm-headed-earth-disrupt-power-15868556#.T1fhW3k-d8w

Solar Storm Headed Toward Earth May Disrupt Power
The largest solar storm in five years is racing toward Earth, threatening to unleash a torrent of charged particles that could disrupt power grids, GPS and airplane flights.

The sun erupted Tuesday evening, and the effects should start smacking Earth between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. EST Thursday, according to forecasters at the federal government's Space Weather Prediction Center. They say the storm, which started with a massive solar flare, is growing as it speeds outward from the sun.

"It's hitting us right in the nose," said Joe Kunches, a scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He called it the sun's version of "Super Tuesday."

Scientists say the sun has been relatively quiet for some time. And this storm, while strong, may seem fiercer because Earth has been lulled by several years of weak solar activity.

"This is a good-size event, but not the extreme type," said Bill Murtagh, program coordinator for the space weather center.

The solar storm is likely to last through Friday morning, but the region that erupted can still send more blasts our way, Kunches said. He said another set of active sunspots is ready to aim at Earth right after this.

But for now, scientists are waiting to see what happens Thursday when the charged particles hit Earth at 4 million mph.

NASA solar physicist Alex Young added, "It could give us a bit of a jolt." But he said this is far from a super solar storm.

But there is potential for widespread problems. Solar storms have three ways they can disrupt technology on Earth: with magnetic, radio and radiation emissions. This is an unusual situation when all three types of solar storm disruptions are likely to be strong, Kunches said.

That means "a whole host of things" could follow, he said.

The magnetic part of the storm has the potential to trip electrical power grids. Kunches said utility companies around the world have been alerted. The timing and speed of the storm determines whether it knocks off power grids, he said.

In 1989, a strong solar storm knocked out the power grid in Quebec, causing 6 million people to lose power.

Solar storms can also make global positioning systems less accurate, which is mostly a problem for precision drilling and other technologies, Kunches said. There also could be GPS outages.

The storm also can cause communication problems and added radiation around the north and south poles, which will probably force airlines to reroute flights. Some already have done so, Kunches said.

Satellites could be affected, too. NASA spokesman Rob Navias said the space agency isn't taking any extra precautions to protect astronauts on the International Space Station from added radiation.

[shogun]

Was just trying to find the video, i saw earlier of the storm.

[DEVIANT]

1am to 5 am EST is what time in the Caribbean?

[200sx]

Jus got a power failure for a few seconds here in work at Malgretoute (Princes Town)!


Strange!!!!!

[uncle sam]

this will not affect tobago

[Groovemaster]

Thought a transformer blew outside; bright green light and noise but lights just flickered...and transformer ok...

[hustla_ambition101]

Jus got a power failure for a few seconds here in work at Malgretoute (Princes Town)!


Strange!!!!!

I got that in Arima

[sliderz1]

be protective of radiation [UV index etc] tmrw

[supremacy_007]

transformer blew in marabella around petrotirn at 7 pm

[rfari]

gonna unplug everything home. thanks for the heads up OP

[demented]

Jus got a power failure for a few seconds here in work at Malgretoute (Princes Town)!


Strange!!!!!

I got that in Arima

Got it in La Romaine as well

[black start]

ah wonder what spf ah need for tomorrow?

[sliderz1]

Video frm Nasa

Solar Dynamics Observatory

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunea ... -X5-4.html

[redmanjp]

1am to 5 am EST is what time in the Caribbean?

i think its 2-6 AM

so ppl already experiencing electrical disturbances? 2012 oui

[TriP]

[shake d livin wake d dead]

Jus got a power failure for a few seconds here in work at Malgretoute (Princes Town)!


Strange!!!!!

I got that in Arima

Got it in La Romaine as well

this happened in S/Grande...wtf hoss

[bushwakka]

ent we had a huge one jus the other day too causing the brightest aurora in the northern hemisphere

[xaira]

waiting for 21st of dec



but on a real, thx 4 the heads up, will unplug like mad

[gt4tified]

I think that was probably just Starscream returning from within the core of the sun, to avenge his former master and destroy Optimus.

[shogun]

Steups!

[RIPEBREDFRUIT]

http://www.die.net/earth/mollweide.html?zoom=2

So Europe may have gotten the brunt of the 2-5am already?

[redmanjp]

so this only affects electronics or can it affect your skin as well?

[X2]

Strange... hondas everywhere seem to be low on torque...

[Habit7]

PM meh, ah selling

[black start]

1am to 5 am EST is what time in the Caribbean?

i think its 2-6 AM

so ppl already experiencing electrical disturbances? 2012 oui

oh noes....we all gon die bisshes

[Habit7]

any tingly feelings or the sensation of slight radiation happening to anyone?

[noshownogo]

Strange... hondas everywhere seem to be low on torque...

Correct, honda hoe had foresight to sell and upgrade before this rare occurrence

[black start]

Strange... hondas everywhere seem to be low on torque...

[RIPEBREDFRUIT]

the Opposition is quiet, so its done some good apparently..................

[gt4tified]

any tingly feelings or the sensation of slight radiation happening to anyone?

No but the sun was stinging no rasclat this morning!