A large solar storm is affecting the earths magnetic field, this is the largest solar storm that we have seen since 2005. This solar storm has been causing our GPS to act up, causing the northern lights to be brighter, and making auroras to appear at night in some places of the world. The solar storm is a result of a solar flare that erupted from the sun at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday the 21st of January 2012.
When a solar flare reaches earth it moves around the earths protective magnetic poles, but does damage to them in the process. Once it hits the magnetic poles it is then called a solar storm, because it is a storm that effects the earth caused by the sun. A solar storm contains extremely hot gasses, and super charged particles that are blasted at the earths atmosphere. The particles then collide with the atmosphere causing the polar lights to appear, and auroras (which are really the same thing) in other places of the world. This solar storm hit us in three different waves, the first hit us with electromagnetic radiation, the second with protons, and the third with a coronal mass ejection. A coronal mass ejection is a large burst of solar wind, plasma, and electromagnetic fields being released into space.
NASA is currently working on a tool that can predict the path of solar storms, so that they can issue warnings to astronauts and spacecraft telling them that they are in danger of a solar storm. They are using the same type of satellite system that they use to predict hurricane, and storm paths, however this system will be of use on a much larger scale, so the estimated completion time for this tool to be in use is three years from now. The solar activity from the sun will be continuing due to the sun approaching its solar maximum which is predicted to be in 2013.
this is crazy! i remember this happening, my phone and computer weren't working very well. and my tv was cutting out. wacky stuff. i think its real interesting that thiings like that effect us, and i wonder what would happen with a huge one.
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My computer was effected by that solar storm. Now every time my phone or computer seems slow, I wonder if there was a solar storm. Would it be possible for a solar storm to be so big that it knock out all our computers and such?
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