JTF.ORG Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dan on August 03, 2010, 09:36:03 PM
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Earth is bracing for a cosmic tsunami Tuesday night as tons of plasma from a massive solar flare head directly toward the planet.
The Sun's surface erupted early Sunday morning, shooting a wall of ionized atoms directly at Earth, scientists say. It is expected to create a geomagnetic storm and a spectacular light show -- and it could pose a threat to satellites in orbit, as well.
"This eruption is directed right at us and is expected to get here early in the day on Aug. 4," said Leon Golub of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. "It's the first major Earth-directed eruption in quite some time."
The solar eruption, called a coronal mass ejection, was spotted by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which captures high-definition views of the sun at a variety of wavelengths. SDO was launched in February and peers deep into the layers of the sun, investigating the mysteries of its inner workings.
"We got a beautiful view of this eruption," Golub said. "And there might be more beautiful views to come if it triggers aurorae."
Views of aurorae are usually associated with Canada and Alaska, but even skywatchers in the northern U.S. mainland are being told they can look toward the north Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for rippling "curtains" of green and red light.
When a coronal mass ejection reaches Earth, solar particles stream down our planet's magnetic field lines toward the poles. In the process, the particles collide with atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, which then glow, creating an effect similar to miniature neon signs.
The interaction of the solar particles with our planet's magnetic field has the potential to create geomagnetic storms, or disturbances, in Earth's magnetosphere. And while aurorae are normally visible only at high latitudes, they can light up the sky even at lower latitudes during a geomagnetic storm.
Fortunately for Earth-bound observers, the atmosphere filters out nearly all of the radiation from the solar blast. The flare shouldn't pose a health hazard, Golub told FoxNews.com.
"It's because of our atmosphere," he explained, "which absorbs the radiation, as well as the magnetic field of the Earth, which deflects any magnetic particles produced."
The radiation "almost never" makes it to ground, he noted, though pilots and passengers in airplanes may experience increased radiation levels akin to getting an X-ray.
The solar particles also could affect satellites, though scientists think that possibility is remote. Orbital Sciences Corp. believe a similar blast may have knocked its Galaxy 15 satellite permanently out of action this year.
This type of solar event has both government officials and satellite manufacturers worrying.
NASA scientists warned recently that high-energy electric pulses from the sun could cripple our electrical grid for years, causing billions in damages. In fact, the House is so concerned that the Energy and Commerce committee voted unanimously to approve a bill allocating $100 million to protect the energy grid from this rare but potentially devastating occurrence.
The sun's activity usually ebbs and flows on a fairly predictable cycle. Typically, a cycle lasts about 11 years, taking roughly 5.5 years to move from a solar minimum, a period of time when there are few sunspots, to peak at the solar maximum, during which sunspot activity is amplified.
The last solar maximum occurred in 2001. The latest minimum was particularly weak and long- lasting.
The most recent solar eruption is one of the first signs that the sun is waking up -- and heading toward another maximum.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/08/03/spectacular-northern-lights-signals-sun-waking/
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Awesome video of this 'Solar Storm' :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbRMl78x6Ds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xob6nGAFej8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiJE4xrxO34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6DFr-HmkR4
There is no doubt in my mind that Hashem made the sun for the benefit of this world. It is a marvelous star and it provides the best environment for the human being. The forces of radiation and of magnetism and the positions of the planets and their orbits, all are being created by Hashem, every moment from the beginning till the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPz6MF202ig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOBgL5cvJww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTjENeY_REE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq4etCTg_WY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTHcUFF8OSg
Hashem has created a world ideal for the human being. We should be so very thankful that the sun produces warmth, light, and the conditions which sustain life, the falling of the rain, the evaporation of the water, in the right balance for life to exist. Every day I thank the Creator of the Universe. Watching this video confirms my awe of creation. Every microbe and every giant was made for its unique purpose. It is a grand symphony!
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just hope none of the satellites go kaput
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I thought NASA's Prime Directive was appeasing muslims...
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Is this the end?
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Is this the end?
I doubt it... These storms happen several times a year... This one, apparently, is not the worst one...
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Re: "Is this the end? "
It might be, if the Earth gets struck in the fracas! ;D
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Re: "Is this the end? "
It might be, if the Earth gets struck in the fracas! ;D
You've made that joke a few times now. I'm not sure I understand it. "Fracas" means a quarrel or brawl. So how do I make sense out of what you are saying? Are you referring to something else?
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Did it happen?
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(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/gatorhw/Christmas%20List%202006/fracas.jpg)
I just love that word...fracas :::D
It just fits so many situations.
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Did it happen?
Yes, the solar winds hit earth Tuesday afternoon. The only people who could see anything would be people in the northern hemisphere. Mo, you should have heard about it because I believe that people in Canada could have seen the northern lights {Aurora Borealis}. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_%28astronomy%29
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Polarlicht_2.jpg/800px-Polarlicht_2.jpg)
Apparently another Solar storm is on its way too..
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/0804/Missed-Tuesday-s-northern-lights-show-Another-is-on-its-way
Missed Tuesday's northern lights show? Another is on its way.
For folks along the northern rim of the US, a second chance to see the northern lights will come when another solar outburst hits Earth Wednesday or Thursday.
By Pete Spotts, Staff writer / August 4, 2010
If you're still in the hunt for aurora borealis, the outbursts of hot, ionized gas the sun sent toward Earth on Sunday may just keep on giving.
Space-weather forecasters say that there's a 20 percent chance for a major geomagnetic storm tonight – an event stronger than last night's that would make any auroras visible farther south than last night's northern-light show reached.
To be sure, it's more likely that the storm will get no stronger than last night's, which turned out to be a bit more intense than forecasters had predicted.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Aurora_Australis_From_ISS.JPG/800px-Aurora_Australis_From_ISS.JPG)
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Re: "Are you referring to something else?"
"Doc!"..."Doc"!..."Come quickly!"..."There's been a huge fight down at the bar!"..."Ole' J.W. and Mr. Tithers were goin' at each other like wild animals!"
"Tell, me, young feller" ... "Was anyone wounded in the fracas?"
"No, Sir!" "But Tithers stabbed J.W. between his a-s_s_ho_l-e and his bellybutton!"
"Oh!" "I see!"
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Did it happen?
Yes, the solar winds hit earth Tuesday afternoon. The only people who could see anything would be people in the northern hemisphere. Mo, you should have heard about it because I believe that people in Canada could have seen the northern lights {Aurora Borealis}. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_%28astronomy%29
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Polarlicht_2.jpg/800px-Polarlicht_2.jpg)
Apparently another Solar storm is on its way too..
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/0804/Missed-Tuesday-s-northern-lights-show-Another-is-on-its-way
Missed Tuesday's northern lights show? Another is on its way.
For folks along the northern rim of the US, a second chance to see the northern lights will come when another solar outburst hits Earth Wednesday or Thursday.
By Pete Spotts, Staff writer / August 4, 2010
If you're still in the hunt for aurora borealis, the outbursts of hot, ionized gas the sun sent toward Earth on Sunday may just keep on giving.
Space-weather forecasters say that there's a 20 percent chance for a major geomagnetic storm tonight – an event stronger than last night's that would make any auroras visible farther south than last night's northern-light show reached.
To be sure, it's more likely that the storm will get no stronger than last night's, which turned out to be a bit more intense than forecasters had predicted.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Aurora_Australis_From_ISS.JPG/800px-Aurora_Australis_From_ISS.JPG)
Canada's big, lol, you have to be specific.
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Re: "Are you referring to something else?"
"Doc!"..."Doc"!..."Come quickly!"..."There's been a huge fight down at the bar!"..."Ole' J.W. and Mr. Tithers were goin' at each other like wild animals!"
"Tell, me, young feller" ... "Was anyone wounded in the fracas?"
"No, Sir!" "But Tithers stabbed J.W. between his a-s_s_ho_l-e and his bellybutton!"
"Oh!" "I see!"
:::D :clap:
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Vunderbar!
Nic pics!
All this and we're still alive!
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Re: "Are you referring to something else?"
"Doc!"..."Doc"!..."Come quickly!"..."There's been a huge fight down at the bar!"..."Ole' J.W. and Mr. Tithers were goin' at each other like wild animals!"
"Tell, me, young feller" ... "Was anyone wounded in the fracas?"
"No, Sir!" "But Tithers stabbed J.W. between his a-s_s_ho_l-e and his bellybutton!"
"Oh!" "I see!"
:::D :clap:
It appears I don't understand your humor.
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Re: "It appears I don't understand your humor. "
That's OK.