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Discussion Forum : News and Current Events : Nasa scientists braced for 'solar tsunami' to hit earth

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 Nasa scientists braced for 'solar tsunami' to hit earth

(this might be a chicken little "thingy", but do put some drinking water, and candles aside)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7923069/Nasa-scientists-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.

 2010/8/3 7:33
Yeshuasboy
Member



Joined: 2006/6/10
Posts: 668
Northern Rockies, BC, Canada

 Re: Nasa scientists braced for 'solar tsunami' to hit earth

Northern lights @ this time of the year are rare but indeed; however, I'll be out & about tonight to see what I can see :oD


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Richie

 2010/8/3 8:16Profile
twayneb
Member



Joined: 2009/4/5
Posts: 2256
Joplin, Missouri

 Re:

Yeshuasboy: I guess that is the benefit of living in BC. I think I have only seen the northern lights in Missouri once in my lifetime and I was a little boy then. I may have to stay up late this evening as well.


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Travis

 2010/8/3 19:52Profile









 Re: Nasa scientists braced for 'solar tsunami' to hit earth

Cloud coverage is hampering our viewing.

 2010/8/3 21:44
Yeshuasboy
Member



Joined: 2006/6/10
Posts: 668
Northern Rockies, BC, Canada

 Re:

Well, it all depends where ya dwell here for sure. I've been in the midst of a vortex of northern lights before; was like being in a the middle of a tornado of northern lights - that was sweet. Then, this spring, they came up over 2 different mountain ranges where I live & enveloped each other above the city where I live. You'd look straight up above & see these magnificent waves of dazzling colour, like sheet lightning of various colours dancing above after colliding with one another. U can hear them hum too :o)


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Richie

 2010/8/3 21:59Profile
Yeshuasboy
Member



Joined: 2006/6/10
Posts: 668
Northern Rockies, BC, Canada

 Re:

Anyhooo, all overcast to the north this evening in these parts; south horizon was clear, but no light show this time.


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Richie

 2010/8/4 7:43Profile





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