Incoming Solar Storm
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Incoming Solar Storm
Currently it is 4:25pm Melbourne Time - A large geomagnetic storm should arrive at Earth over the next few hours. The storm is rated S3 which is "strong" in the 5 tier scale.
Don't Panic - Should be not too much to worry about from our point of view. This is the NOAA description of an S3 storm -
Biological: radiation hazard avoidance recommended for astronauts on EVA; passengers and crew in commercial jets at high latitudes may receive low-level radiation exposure (approximately 1 chest x-ray).
Satellite operations: single-event upsets, noise in imaging systems, and slight reduction of efficiency in solar panel are likely.
Other systems: degraded HF radio propagation through the polar regions and navigation position errors likely.
Three things may be interesting -
1. Does it affect the satellites for geocaching? (most important)
2. Does it effect any other radio / tv / internet transmissions
3. Do you see an aurora? (May be possible - the closer to the poles the better the chance)
I would be interested to see your feedback for these for the next 24 hours
For the geeks - this is a result of the 2nd largest solar flare so far of solar cycle 24 and a direct hit geomagnetic storm on earth is fairly rare - ie most miss. Solarham.com is a wealth of information and links if you wish to learn more.
Picture below - Prediction of Solar Winds at about 9:00pm tonight Melbourne Time. The white is about 900km/s (fast) Earth is the green dot. The other two dots are forward and backward stero satelites that take pictures of the sun.
Don't Panic - Should be not too much to worry about from our point of view. This is the NOAA description of an S3 storm -
Biological: radiation hazard avoidance recommended for astronauts on EVA; passengers and crew in commercial jets at high latitudes may receive low-level radiation exposure (approximately 1 chest x-ray).
Satellite operations: single-event upsets, noise in imaging systems, and slight reduction of efficiency in solar panel are likely.
Other systems: degraded HF radio propagation through the polar regions and navigation position errors likely.
Three things may be interesting -
1. Does it affect the satellites for geocaching? (most important)
2. Does it effect any other radio / tv / internet transmissions
3. Do you see an aurora? (May be possible - the closer to the poles the better the chance)
I would be interested to see your feedback for these for the next 24 hours
For the geeks - this is a result of the 2nd largest solar flare so far of solar cycle 24 and a direct hit geomagnetic storm on earth is fairly rare - ie most miss. Solarham.com is a wealth of information and links if you wish to learn more.
Picture below - Prediction of Solar Winds at about 9:00pm tonight Melbourne Time. The white is about 900km/s (fast) Earth is the green dot. The other two dots are forward and backward stero satelites that take pictures of the sun.
Re: Incoming Solar Storm
I had heard on the news here in the states that it could possibly disrupt GPS recievers. Hopefully we will have clear skies and maybe see an aurora.
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- 4000 or more? I'm officially obsessed.
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- Joined: 01 April 04 2:01 pm
- Location: Rowville, Victoria
Re: Incoming Solar Storm
9:10pm Melbourne time - disappointingly cloudy. Any luck further west?
Red shows extreme radio interference around poles. (Please note: If you are only looking at this picture in a day or two time, there will most likely be no red on it. It is a live link)
Red shows extreme radio interference around poles. (Please note: If you are only looking at this picture in a day or two time, there will most likely be no red on it. It is a live link)
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Re: Incoming Solar Storm
AH...well, that explains my inability yet again, to find "Parliament Station" in Melbourne CBD about 5pm then...nothing to do with my incompetence
- gmj3191
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Re: Incoming Solar Storm
Certainly upset the Sri Lankan batsmen somewhat ....
Re: Incoming Solar Storm
Typical - whenever there's the possibility of seeing something interesting in the night sky the clouds move in... I doubt an aurora could be seen in Melbourne, but there was a big geomagnetic storm once that aurora were seen right up to 25 degrees.
I hope the GPS-Sats are affected - I've got my 1000 to get this weekend!
I hope the GPS-Sats are affected - I've got my 1000 to get this weekend!
- Richary
- 8000 or more caches found
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Re: Incoming Solar Storm
It seems to have been a bit of a fizzer. But no problems driving around with the TomTom today.
The auroral prediction oval had the northernmost view well south of Tasmania, but a bit north of Macquarie Island.
The auroral prediction oval had the northernmost view well south of Tasmania, but a bit north of Macquarie Island.
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Re: Incoming Solar Storm
Would have been a good time to search for bifrost. At least you could blame something other than your own searching skills!!!
- Richary
- 8000 or more caches found
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Re: Incoming Solar Storm
Looking at tonight's auroral prediction oval it could be visible from Tasmania or Dunedin tonight.
http://www.ips.gov.au/Geophysical/4/1
http://www.ips.gov.au/Geophysical/4/1