So whats going on with the sun? And should we be concerned about this somewhat out-of-character solar behavior?
These two huge sunspots are currently causing quite a bit of consternation and interest. The solar storms theyve sent toward Earth may affect communications and other technologies like GPS and radio signals. Theyre causing amazing displays of the northern and southern lights. And space weather scientists like us are excited because we wouldnt normally expect this much activity from the sun at the moment.
We dont yet fully understand everything that is happening. But the activity over the past few days, when the sun should be within its quietest period, shows that significant space weather events are possible at any stage of the 11-year solar cycle.
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The sun blasted out seven massive solar flares in as many days in an extraordinary period of space weather that has sparked stunning geomagnetic storms above the earth.
Between September 4 and September 11, NASA observed seven flares, all classed in its strongest X category, with the most impressive registering at X9.3, a very significant event.
But that wont always necessarily be the case in the future. In 1989, Canadas Quebec state faced a nine-hour blackout from a solar event called a Coronal Mass Ejection.
Solar flares could also disrupt communications, including crucial satellite guidance system that could affect airplanes.
In reply to sgtdjones
Don't worry god made this earth for us to rule over all other creatures,right now cockroach and other subterranean dwellers looking like they will stand a better chance dan we and they'll have plenty bbq to sustain them for a million years after...
In reply to POINT
They are too lazy to read and fact check and instead resigned to believe in conspiracy theories.
In reply to POINT
Here's the problem though - those people are going to use this as evidence that climate change is not man-made at all, and then go right ahead and burn that diesel.
So probably not the best thing to go at the Deniers with.