Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NASA Notices New, Nasty Solar Storm Type

Posted by timothy on from the my-precioussss-ssssolar-ssstorm dept.

saskboy writes "Solar Storms generally aren't this bad, but in January unique conditions led to a "proton superhighway" that bombarded earth with fast moving protons that could have harmed astronauts caught without a radiation shield. "Scant minutes after the January 20th [2005] flare, a swarm of high-speed protons surrounded Earth and the Moon. Thirty minutes later, the most intense proton storm in decades was underway." Listen to the story here. Archives from the January storms are also available from SpaceWeather.com"

11 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. No new super-heros? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You mean we had the opportunity for a new generation of super-heros due to radiation bombardment and we totally missed it? In the age of manned private space flight, I'm disappointed.

    1. Re:No new super-heros? by He-Nerd · · Score: 3, Funny

      It takes a while for the effects to be felt. I, He-Nerd, was created during a solar storm. I am certain more superheroes were created in this latest one.

      Fear me evil lusers for I am He-Nerd.

    2. Re:No new super-heros? by fishbowl · · Score: 1, Funny

      I for one welcome our new high-speed proton overlords.

      --
      -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.
  2. It was terrible! by Jediman1138 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The protons...they just kept...swarming and surrounding me...The protons!....The horror! Babies were screaming! Children were crying! Animals were being slaughtered! THE PROTOOOOONNNSS!!!.. -shudders-

    --

    nothing.can.stop.me.now

  3. Science Behind The Movie... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 3, Funny

    When the Fantastic Four come out in July, we will see the dangers of being out in space without a radiation shield.

    1. Re:Science Behind The Movie... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      How much do you think Fox Studios had to pay the solar flare to get that kind of publicity?

  4. Mankind's effect on the solar system by NitsujTPU · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is just another sign of mankind's effect on the solar system. We need to stop polluting outer space, or we can count on rapid climate change and other phenomena that will destroy life in our solar system.

  5. Wow... by JoeLinux · · Score: 4, Funny

    I heard that 5 people aboard the ISS got caught in it. One guy's skin got all orange and hard, but his muscles got MAJORLY enhanced. One guy got increased flexibility, tothe point that he could bend and extend his bones/muscles as much as he wanted. Another guy was affected so much he could start fires on the outside of his body. An unfortunate woman caught in this stream turned invisible. However, the worst one was a guy who suffered a severe personality loss. He was said to be just plain mean and nasty. And his nerves for some reason discharged electrical shocks many times their normal size.

  6. Re:Protein Storm by Gyga · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Err. Wait. Sorry this is slashdot, I guess large muscley women won't have much of an effect on us, other than having large muscley mothers."
    That won't affect us? Now they can kick us out of the basement.
    --
    A sig should be wise.

    --
    I don't preview or spellcheck.
  7. Soooo.... by cirby · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...you're saying that trolling is caused by proton storms?

  8. Re:Yeah and it's not global warming by back_pages · · Score: 2, Funny
    I was saying the same thing last night when I was caught holding a bloody knife.

    Everytime something like this happens there are unusual dead people discovered later on in the evening, and then people scream bloody murder that it is murder and demand immediate and overwhelming regulations be put in place right now.