Big Solar Storm Brewing

Posted by Michael Bradbury in Atmospheric science, Backyard Science, Citizen science, Physics and Chemistry, Space, Video on 01 24th, 2012 | no responses

As a precaution planes that travel over the North Pole are being rerouted. Satellites are bracing for a direct hit and technicians are watching energy grids with unblinking eyes. The reason for all the hub-bub is a big solar storm. The Space Weather Prediction Center issued a warning on Monday when the sun released a coronal mass ejection and sent it hurtling toward Earth.

At first blush, the NOAA-run prediction center called it the worst solar storm since May 2005. But this morning as the

Sunspot 1402 Releases Large Coronal Mass Ejection Jan. 23

radiation began reaching instruments in orbit, they revised their prediction, calling it the biggest solar storm since 2003. As solar storms go, this one rates an S-3, meaning it can disrupt radio signals, electric grids and satellite communication. It also is accompanied by a minor geomagnetic storm, categorized as a G-1.

So if you’re cell phone isn’t working quite right for the next couple of days, you’ll know why.

But most people will remember this solar storm because it’s going to produce an incredible light show as the Northern Lights and Southern Lights dance across the sky at lower latitudes.

Reports of stunning Northern Lights visible in England, Ireland and Scotland are already being reported. More pics here.

The space weather prediction center created a map, estimating where the auroras will be visible. And it looks like anyone north of Idaho in the U.S. will be able to see a spectacular show as solar radiation smashes into Earth’s magnetic field, releasing light in the process.

Earth Sky recommends, “To see the aurora, you’ll need a nice clear sky with no obscuring clouds. It’s also good to have no moon, which, luckily, is what we have tonight. The moon is traveling across the sky with the sun today and won’t be visible again until tomorrow night (January 25, 2012) when, by the way, it’ll be spectacularly beautiful near Venus in the west after sunset. Finally, you should do yourself a favor and ride half an hour or so beyond the lights of the city to view tonight’s aurora. You might be able to glimpse it from within the city, but more likely city lights will drown the aurora from view.”

The sun is in an active phase of its 11-year solar cycle. More frequent solar storms are likely as the sun reaches is peak activity next year before slowly settling down again.