*~*~Daily ~~ NEWS~*~*
 

BIG SOLAR STORM WILL HIT EARTH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24,2003


BOULDER, COLO.-- A strong geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth on Friday. Scientists say it may knock out electrical grids and satellite communications.

A "sunspot cluster" said to be 10 times the size of Earth could damage satellites and power grids, as well as cable TV, pager and cellular telephone service.


Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, Colo., say it is one of the largest sunspot clusters in years.

Larry Combs, a forecaster at the federal Space Environment Center in Boulder, says the sunspot cluster released a chunk of the sun's outer atmosphere early Wednesday morning.

NASA's Goddard Space Center says the sunspot clusters produce a "coronal mass ejection" – an explosion of gas and charged particles from the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere.

In 1997, television networks in the U.S. were affected when satellites used to beam programming to local stations were knocked out of service.

That will have a good chance of really turning on your lights LoveDiva. Hope for some clear skys and it may be possible for more southern folks to see the aurora borealis for the first time.

There's just something about the words "coronal mass ejection" that sends a tinkle through my thingy :D

LMAO@FP:D

Are there safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the Pixie's network?

Yes WildIrish.:)

I call mine "Pixie Ladies Pics" file.:D

So did any of our members get to see the Northern Lights? I understand it was visible as far south as Florida this time.

Nooooooooooo! Waaaaaaaaaaaaa! It's been so cloudy....and I tried....but Noooooooooooo! I've seen the aurora around here before......but nothing like what it is in Alaska! Ours was just a bit greenish/purpley (word?...I think not!), way back in '96! Would have loved to catch it again!

Places north of T.O. had some great light shows lately but there's too much damn light pollution in the city.