Yet Another Big Solar Flare

philthedrill writes "CNN is reporting that the sun has fired another large solar flare towards Earth. This one could arrive as early as Thursday (Oct. 30th) afternoon. (insert end-of-the-world statement here)."

Comments

Re:Any effects on humans at all?

[e4liberty]

I heard on NPR last night that an X class CME has the effect of about "10 dental X-rays" on folks flying in airplanes over the poles. I guess the magnetic field lines make the poles the most vulnerable area, and at higher altitudes there is less atmosphere for protection.

Re:Another one (story, not flare)?

[duber007]

The peak in the current cycle was a few years back....see the NOAA's SolarCycle page Considering it's an 11 year cycle, we are supposed to be on the downswing right now....also, don't forget that we're now at two major storms in the last few days, emmenating from two massive (and still growing) sunspots on the surface of the sun...so, I would call this something extraordinary.

Re:We don't know squat.

[son_of_asdf]

We actually have access to many thousands of years worth of climactic data, thanks to extracted ice cores, data from the ocean floor, and an number of other sources. For starters, have a look at The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's website for more information on the subject.