Explaining Scientific Sun stuff...

Geomagnetic Storms:

I unfortunately did not see an Aurora Borealis display as the Geomagnetic storm was smaller than they anticipated. But I did get to learn a whole bunch of cool things about the sun last night. My Husband and I looked at video, pictures and we watched the Star Gate Universe episode where the Ship goes into the sun and powers the ship up. Anyways beyond my geeky life I've decded to try and explain Geomagnetic storms to non scientific people. 

       

A Geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in the Earth's Geomagnetic atmosphere caused by CME's (Coronal Mass Ejections). For those who still don't understand what a CME is it's a solar flare that gets shot at Earth, it arrives within 3 days and hits the Earth's atmosphere which usually results in a display of Northern/Southern Lights.

Geomagnetic storms Disrupt Shortwave radios and Amateur Radio signals. It Can also disrupt GPS, the signals that airplanes use to distinguish their location and Land to Sea communications. Solar flares can also damage Satelites, and cause blackouts in the power grid (Mainly in long distance grids that are vulnerable). A large enough (and this is VERY rare) CME can potentially damage most satelites in orbit and cause wide spread black outs. This is very unlikely as there has to be a REALLY BIG CME that shoots out of the sun Directly at us. Scientists are studying CMEs incase the Sun does decide to shoot out a really big flare. We would have 3 days warning. A large CME hit the Earth in 1989 causing power outages and an Aurora Borealis that was seen as far south as Texas. 

Solar Flares are classed into 3 different Classes. They are measured by their X-Ray Brightness in the wavelength range of 1-8 angstroms. An Angstrom is a measurement of length. The three classes are: C Class-Very small, few noticeable impacts on Earth
M Class-Medium sized, can cause radio disturbances.
X Class- Large sized, can cause global wide radio disturbance, black outs and long lasting Geomagnetic storms.

Above is a Graph.
The Classes are also given subdivisions ranging from 1-9. The above graph shows that an X2, M5 and a X6 hit the Earth on July 4th 2000. Can you say Independance day Fireworks? That was the last Solar Maximum (When the sun releases Big Flares) and we are comming into another solar Maximum. If we get mose X Class solar Flares chances of seeing an Aurora Borealis are more likely. Last Night (Feb 17 2011) Yellowknife Canada saw a beautiful display of Northern Lights.

The above picture was taken this morning at 1am in Nunavut.

So if you were ever wondering what causes the Northern Lights, now you know. CMEs do. It's all thanks to solar flares. And yes the Northern Lights are visible from Outer space. Infact they look even cooler in outer space.

           So there you have it. Space weather is pretty cool...Look how epic Northern Lights are. I'm looking forward to more cool space weather. Because weather isn't just occuring here on Earth it's up there too. But if you think I'm excited you should see how Giddy My husband was when he was on the Space Weather web site. I'm somewhat of a space person but my Husband is a true space person. He'd LOVE to work for NASA. Me on the other hand, I would totally jump at a job with USGS given the chance. I'm hoping one day I will be able to actually see a Volcano Erupt but until then I can look forward to seeing the Northern Lights in my back Yard. Fingers crossed.