All the media is abuzz with the latest in news to make us shudder. A coronal mass ejection or EME is speeding towards earth at a speed of some 2 200km/s. It was reported by SpaceWeather.com that NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory noticed the M9- class flare erupting from a sunspot at around 3:59 GMT.
This is said to be the largest plasma eruption since 2005. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) rates solar storms on a scale of 1-5. % are extreme and cause major disruptions. The 2005 was a class 3. This one is predicted to be about the same.
The sun has an 11 year cycle and is on the up at the moment. Solar Maximum is expected around 2013. This means solar activity will increase until then before winding down again.
How will it affect earth-the EME will result in charged particles bombarding our planet from today (24th January 2012) at around 14:18GMT. Of course something like this does not come without consequences. A flare of this size could disrupt communication networks and could even disable satellites and electricity grids. This is extreme though and as I am sure will will have our usual doomsdayers, I am sure this event will pass without much or any disruption.
It is also advisable to stay out of direct sunlight for this period due to the increase in ultra violet rays.
Because of the magnetic particles flooding earth, the aurora will be even more intense so should anybody be thinking of somewhere to go for the next couple of days, I hear Alaska will be breathtaking.
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This is nice to see but at the same time scary. My child is at school in South Africa, Gauteng Pretoria area, and when I phoned the school to find out where my child is the receptionist just said they are having sport on the sport fields and that they will not be able to stop the event as a result of one solar flash!! Can you believe their attitude... need more support from mothers and fathers!!
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