Sunrise May Turn Out The Lights

The Sun burst forward Tuesday evening with the largest Solar Flare in over five years. According to the Federal Space Weather Prediction Center, in Washington D.C., the flare, or charged particles of the burst, should reach earths atmosphere around 7A.M. Eastern Time, tomorrow morning.(Thursday, March 8, 2012)

Forecasters say the flare is rapidly increasing in size, and holds possible threats to power grids, GPS, Air traffic controls, (both in the air, and on the ground). 

Scientist Joe Kunches, of the National Oceanic, and Atmospheric Administration said; “It’s hitting us right in the nose”, calling it the sun’s “Super-Tuesday”.

The initial affects of the particular solar storm could last through Friday, and also have several after flashes even into next week. According to these same forecasters, the charged particles will hit the earth at 4 million miles per hour.

Meanwhile, back on the sun, other sunspots are poised to explode projectiles towards earth. Scientist are unsure of the impact, or damages these particles may inflict on earth when it hits, and at this time, they, like the rest of us can only wait and see.

From another perspective, Solar physicist, Alex Young told AP news from NASA headquarters, “It could give us a bit of a jolt, but is far from a Super-Solar-Storm”.

According to Kunches, of the Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, a weaker eruption took place last Sunday, and the affects Earth may see in the skies Thursday evening, at least as far south of North America as the “Great Lakes”, will be quite the light show. That is, if they are not masked by the full moon that takes place the same night.

The bad effects will possibly out weigh any wondrous light shows, however, as there’s an unusual occurrence of three different types of storms combined…  Sort of, “The Perfect Solar Storm” if one can say”perfect” in this scenario at all.

Nothing is certain, but their is potential for wide spread danger ranging from magnetic, and radio interference, and radiation contamination, according to Kunche.

Power companies across the globe have been alerted of possible outages.

In 1989, a strong solar storm left Quebec in the dark to the tune of 6 million homes.

Airlines have averted some of their flight patterns already, as radiation around the north and south poles will likely be increased.

Other problems could be realized in wi-fi, cell phones, and satellites.  (both in signals and physical positioning).

No extra precautions are being implemented at this time to protect the Astronauts, or the International Space Station, according to NASA spokesperson, Rob Navias.   

I have to believe those people would be somewhat comforted knowing we are at least taking the time to say a prayer for them.

Incidentally… falling space junk can be hazardous to your health…