Slashdot Mirror


Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communications

w98 writes "CNN has reported that the 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years may disrupt communications. "Significant solar eruptions are possible in the coming days and there could be disruptions in spacecraft operations, electric power systems, high frequency communications and low-frequency navigation systems," says the article."

216 comments

  1. Excellent! by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 4, Funny


    This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^

    --
    ____

    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

    1. Re:Excellent! by Tackhead · · Score: 4, Funny
      > This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^

      Attention, troops stationed in New Orleans. Execute Order 66!

    2. Re:Excellent! by NewWorldDan · · Score: 2, Funny

      Personally, I'm waiting to hear how this is a result of Bush's environmental policies.

      On the other hand, the 4th largest in the last 15 years. Wow, that's quite a record and part of a very disturbing trend no less. Time to move to the hills and hide in a cave.

    3. Re:Excellent! by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · · Score: 1

      Har- don't laugh. I know I will use it for an excuse to not call people back, or to do the fake call drop on my cell. "I didn't hang up- it was the solar flares..."
      Low frequency products: Soap, Condoms
      High Fequency Items: Lube, Dirty Magazines...
      This is a more serious issue now that many of us (18-35) don't have land line phones, just cells.

      --
      And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
    4. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful


      Mr. President, Dr. Evil is on the line...

      --
      Bonk the Zonk!

    5. Re:Excellent! by Ailure · · Score: 1

      And I was wondering why the WiFi network at my school was dodgy today...

    6. Re:Excellent! by scbysnx · · Score: 1

      the greenhouse gases are obviously acting as an oven and superheating the earth... which is directly related to the heat on the sun.. and .. boom.. yeah thats it

    7. Re:Excellent! by Bent+Mind · · Score: 1

      But I thought that all of our enviromental problems were because the sun had previously been overly active and was now calming down. This seems to contradict that.

      --
      Request a Linux Shockwave player here: http://www.macromedia.com/support/email/wishform/
    8. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm wondering when someone will blame global warming, the Bush administration, Microsoft, or Windows for this occuring.

      It's only a matter of time.

    9. Re:Excellent! by subterfuge · · Score: 2, Informative

      Solar flares/sun spot activity fluctuate on a roughly 11 year cycle - it never completely dies down and is always better and worse than it was in previous years [depending on what part of the cycle is 'the good old days' to you].

      It is sort of like the crap that comes out of Jesse Jackson's mouth - its always something ignorant, but once in a while its just over the top...

    10. Re:Excellent! by Liam+Slider · · Score: 1

      Oh don't worry, people around the world will find some way to blame Bush for it. They blamed him for Katrina, some people (including politicians of other nations) even said we've "had it coming for a long time" which is a rather nasty remark, and kind of diminishes our respect for those nations even when they offer aid the next day.

      Everything that happens is an excuse to hate America you know. If we get involved in a war somewhere....our fault. If we don't get involved....that's our fault too. We give aid to natural disasters around the world....and people complain that we're either late, or not providing enough. If we don't step in and help somewhere, even if nobody else is either we get fingers pointed at us and people demanding we do something. No matter what happens, anywhere in the world, people will find a way to blame the President, or America in general. Has been that way for as long as I can remember.
    11. Re:Excellent! by Lucractius · · Score: 1

      I hate america but for a nice neat little set of reasons, mostly consiting of being caught between my loathing of the society, culture (lack of, etc.), crime, goverment and my love of cheap tech junk access to specialist parts, and other things that only turn up over there cause you had em first and no one else at the time bough them (VAXen), and did i mention, cheap net access.. god i hate how you all bitch and moan about your net access when people live in wonderful civilised contries get ripped off by their ISPs WAY worse than your lousy service.

      Theres 10Mbit cable in my street, The ISP cant be bothered making it work, so they charge me the same for 512Kbit/128Kbit adsl and they only give me 10 gig a month before speedcapping me down to 64Kbit, oh and did i mention, No peering, or local Mirrors for Open Source updating (emerge, RPM, Ports, nothing), theres a file mirror, but its hardly amazing, just some big common crap, Linux ISOs and the usual software demos.

      But in general. Welll Most people need to hate someone, and america is a big fat target for them to hate, it does so many things that theres always something that they wont like they can hate it for. People cant like everyone. *shrug*

      --
      XML - A clever joke would be here if /. didn't mangle tag brackets.
  2. Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by geomon · · Score: 3, Funny

    The same process that creates Coronal Mass Ejections will finally free humanity from the constraints of energy dependency! Charles Cagle, friend to everyone on sci.physics and sci.physics.fusion has created an unlimited energy supply patterned after CMEs.

    But beware: you must never show disdain for the New and Apocalypic Physics! Disbelievers will be CONSUMED by the fires of the sun in a mighty CME that will lay waste to those who do not follow Brother Charley!

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
    1. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by ErikTheRed · · Score: 3, Funny

      Oh come on! You know that major solar events like this are a direct result of the Bush Administrations callous disregard for the environment! They want more global warming so that they can pass emergency measures to further reduce the Bill of Rights and enslave America! Haliburton! Haliburton!

      --

      Help save the critically endangered Blue Iguana
    2. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by egypt_jimbob · · Score: 1

      Chuck may have some problems when he discovers His Noodly Appendage has been tampering with the data.

      --
      I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.
    3. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by StarvingSE · · Score: 0, Troll

      Parent said Bush is bad! Mod +1 Insightful!!!

      --
      I got nothin'
    4. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Learn to spell your new master's name right, it has two Ls. Halliburton. See, not so hard...

    5. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Kanye West has just announced that solar flares are the work of the white man.

    6. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Disbelievers will be CONSUMED by the fires of the sun in a mighty CME that will lay waste to those who do not follow Brother Charley!

      Ha! The notion of CME-based power is without the concept that all creation is cubic!

      Obviously Brother Charley is a singularily educated human and therefore cannot comprehend the wonder that is the 4-day time cube. He is nothing next to the greatness of Dr. Gene Ray, the Wisest Human!

    7. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by geomon · · Score: 1

      I was hoping that this post would bring out the best in "Alternative Science".

      I am not disappointed! ;)

      --
      "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
    8. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by wcrowe · · Score: 1

      And just think. People like this are allowed to vote, and drive cars.

      --
      Proverbs 21:19
    9. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by wcrowe · · Score: 1

      Have you seen this parody?

      --
      Proverbs 21:19
  3. A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Anonymous+Crowhead · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...only one thing - invasion.

    1. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Gadgetfreak · · Score: 1

      Hmmm. The news reports did say the Mexicans were sending some troops to New Orleans...

      --
      "No fair, you changed the outcome by measuring it!" - Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth
    2. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At least in your previous post you spelled 'communications' correctly..

    3. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Anonymous+Crowhead · · Score: 1

      It was so far down, plus got modded flamebait, I felt justified in reposting it.

    4. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, I think it was funny both times. The flamebait was uncalled for :)

    5. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes- because 500 mexican troops will tip the scales with the 11 million illegal immigrants Mexico has already "given" us....

    6. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Just+Benjamin · · Score: 1

      Hallowed are the Ori.

    7. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      ...and I, for one, welcome our new solar overlords.

      (You knew it was coming, didn't you?)

    8. Re:A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Eric604 · · Score: 1

      No problemo, I still have my sunglasses and half a pack of cigarettes. Let's hit it.

  4. It looks like a bad one... by winkydink · · Score: 3, Funny

    from the looks of the picture on CNN's site, we're well and truly screwed.

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  5. Great... by kaellinn18 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cue a bunch of slashdot posts with people getting cut off in the mid...##KR2F@F@$F$ {NO CARRIER}

    --

    --------
    This isn't the sig you're looking for. Move along.
    1. Re:Great... by GweeDo · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why do you always assume people will post that? Some of us have oth...##KR2F@F@$F$ {NO CARRIER}

    2. Re:Great... by WilliamSChips · · Score: 1

      Why not truncation? Why only the "No Carrier" type? What's wrong with

      --
      Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
    3. Re:Great... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because that's what happens to people who forget to preview before submit. It saps all the humor out of it when you're thinking they're an idiot.

    4. Re:Great... by jafiwam · · Score: 1

      Heh. I came to read this thread only to find out how long it took before that joke showed up.

      You guys are slacking. Fark would have had it in the top 5.

    5. Re:Great... by ikkonoishi · · Score: 1, Redundant

      The reason is simple its beca#(%#@U$(## (NO CARRIER)

    6. Re:Great... by Procrastin8er · · Score: 0

      Don't forget the "welcome our new solar flare overloads." posts....A phrase I have been granted a patent for by the way.
      You will all be hearing from my attorney.

      --
      Slashdot - Where the slash is most definitely to the left.
    7. Re:Great... by WilliamSChips · · Score: 1

      You didn't answer my

      --
      Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
    8. Re:Great... by Jace+of+Fuse! · · Score: 1

      ##KR2F@F@$F$ {NO CARRIER}

      WOAH! They both got hit by the SAME STRING OF NOISE! This is an obvious sign of a massive conspiracy!

      --

      "Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"

      Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
  6. Re:Caused by ... by geomon · · Score: 0, Troll

    I thought Republicans belonged to the "Party of Personal Responsibility(tm)".

    I guess that only means responsible for the good stuff?

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
  7. Re:Caused by ... by winkydink · · Score: 1, Funny

    Don't be ridiculous.

    It's obvious to the most casual observer that the solar flare is caused by global warming, which in turn, is caused by the Bush administration. :)

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  8. Northern lights? by infolib · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What's the chance of seeing them?
    I live on 56N12E

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced libertarian utopia is indistinguishable from government.
    1. Re:Northern lights? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just north of Copenhagen? Pretty good chance. Just look, uh, north.

    2. Re:Northern lights? by jeffmeden · · Score: 3, Informative

      If you were on the spaceweather.com mailing list... You would know that the CME was from the sun's eastern limb and unlikely to produce aurora borealis for you to see (since you're at 56N), but since its an extremely active sunspot it could produce ejections in a few days that will hit the earth delivering some good auroras to watch.

    3. Re:Northern lights? by six · · Score: 2, Funny

      Sorry dude, they are only visible from Earth

    4. Re:Northern lights? by benna · · Score: 1

      Unlikely unless you live in Amsterdam or grow your own...oh wait

      --
      "It is not how things are in the world that is mystical, but that it exists." -Ludwig Wittgenstein
  9. I'm impressed by Neurotoxic666 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Power outage? Communication disruption? On CNN?

    Hey, I'm surprised they haven't used the T word yet =)

    --
    You are more than the sum of what you consume. Desire is not an occupation.
    1. Re:I'm impressed by Thurmont · · Score: 2, Funny

      The sun hates us for our solid surface and heavy elements.

      --
      "If it's got a switch... it's my bitch!!"
    2. Re:I'm impressed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Hey, I'm surprised they haven't used the T word yet =)

      What does Ted Turner have to do with this?

    3. Re:I'm impressed by Ziviyr · · Score: 1

      Damned corona-heads are out to crash a soler flare into our planet again?

      I hope we designed our ozone layer better this time...

      --

      Someone set us up the bomb, so shine we are!
  10. goldilocks and the three bear^H^H^H^Hfrequencies by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    high frequency communications and low-frequency navigation systems

    Thank God I only use medium-frequency products!

  11. SpaceWeather. by hot_Karls_bad_cavern · · Score: 5, Informative
  12. On the convenient excuse for jammed coms by Haiku+4+U · · Score: 0

    What a good excuse
    for the communications
    breakdown. Censorship?

  13. Take a look at the LASCO or SXI images -- by oneiros27 · · Score: 2, Informative

    MDI just showed a spot ... I have no idea why CNN thought that was a good picture.

    EIT's in the middle of a bakeout, so you'll want to take a look at the SOHO/LASCO images, or GOES/SXI

    See the NASA press release for more info.

    --
    Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
    1. Re:Take a look at the LASCO or SXI images -- by TripleE78 · · Score: 1

      >>or GOES/SXI

      I swear I thought that said Goatsecx the first time I read it.

      Wouldn't that be a "moon spot"?

      I need more coffee.

      ~EEE~

  14. Re: 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years by TaleSpinner · · Score: 4, Funny

    Damn that global warming! Now it's screwing up the sun!

  15. Yeah wrong picture by p3d0 · · Score: 1

    I think that's a transit of Mercury.

    --
    Patrick Doyle
    I mod down every jackass who puts his moderation policy in his sig. Oh, wait a sec....
  16. Kind of late... by josecanuc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So these flares cause electromagnetic activity that occurs pretty quickly. According to the cnn.com article, their source was NOAA's Space Environment Center, and they handily included a link to said department.

    According to the information at NOAA, the effects from this event will end by the morning of Sept 8. In other words, it's all over now, if you wanted to prepare.

    Now, along with these often comes CME (coronal mass ejections), but this event wasn't facing Earth, so there won't be any of that material heading our way.

    I have to ask what good it does for CNN to post this information as though it is an alert to prepare, rather than as an after-the-fact notice?

    1. Re:Kind of late... by Bob(TM) · · Score: 2, Informative

      A couple of points to keep in mind, however ...

      * the active region will be on the disk for a couple of weeks and will most likely continue being very active.

      * CME's can range in speed and have a delayed effect on the geomagnetic field. Granted, emissions at that point on the disk may not be well positioned for effect, there can be considerable delay in generating storm conditions. It can take many hours - it's a long way.

      --

      The little guy just ain't getting it, is he?
    2. Re:Kind of late... by jangobongo · · Score: 1

      They may have believed it was news-worthy due to the flare being the fourth largest within the last 15 years, especially for for those who like to follow science (like Slashdot's nerds?). Add to that the fact that this could just be the start - "Significant solar eruptions are possible in the coming days..."

      Also, while it may not have been aimed at earth, it could possibly have been aimed at any number of space probes that have been sent into space. Does anyone know?

      --

      Sig cancelled due to lack of interest
    3. Re:Kind of late... by Idealius · · Score: 1

      ah-ha!

      You know I live in Colorado at more than a mile above sea-level and the last two times a solar flare was belatedly announced on Slashdot I had cell phone calls drop the day they were to have occurred multiple times.

      I wonder if higher elevation significantly affects the probability of a solar flare disrupting communication with a cell phone tower.

      I couldn't see that it would, probably just a coincidence.

      Maybe it has to do more with the mountains in combination with solar flares.

    4. Re:Kind of late... by josecanuc · · Score: 1

      It kind of sucks then that CNN's article did not mention that with this historically-active region becoming earth-facing, we might see more of these in the near future.

      I'm basically fed up with news these days...
      I would wonder if CNN has any space geeks on their payroll whose job it is to say "hey, this doesn't say what happened in the most accurate way." It matters to some...

    5. Re:Kind of late... by josecanuc · · Score: 1

      Nevermind. I'm a dope. The short article does mention future activity to be on the lookout for.

    6. Re:Kind of late... by bobcat7677 · · Score: 1

      I have a linux server that's been up 24/7 for months. The only times it's been down in years was for prolonged power outages. And it became non-responsive yesterday afternoon. My DSL was also out for a while yesterday afternoon. I thought I was just having a bad technology day...

  17. NOAA Article by Gadgetfreak · · Score: 4, Informative

    NOAA also has an article, with pictures and a movie, too.

    --
    "No fair, you changed the outcome by measuring it!" - Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth
  18. Kooks unite! by October_30th · · Score: 1

    That is just so wrong. See Electric Universe for the real truth about the sun and solar flares...

    --
    The owls are not what they seem
    1. Re:Kooks unite! by WilliamSChips · · Score: 1

      Don't you realize that Sun could make a lot of money if they broke free from the constraints of the algorithm and instead used an asynchronous, signal-based architec--oh wait, wrong type of kook.

      --
      Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
  19. FEMA by fr3nch_com · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now they have an excuse to screw up even more.

    --
    PHP Developer Virginia this sig sold out!
  20. In other news... by suitepotato · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    President Bush was immediately blamed for the eruption as a result of not signing the Kyoto Accords and according the UN sources the possibility of sanctions was being investigated to raise money to repair the damage done to the sun by the imperialist USA. Slashdotters cheered like drunken revolting French mobs around a guillotine and began burning pictures of Bill Gates in a display of drunken ignorance of who was being blamed for what today.

    Unfortunately, the story included a very artistic rendering of an orange instead of a dramatic, albeit stock, solar flare image. It's just somehow not as dramatic and motivating that way...

    --
    If my grammar and spelling are off, I am [distracted/tired/careless] (take your pick)
    1. Re:In other news... by ArsonSmith · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      You joke, but the Kyoto Accords were created just to prevent this sort of thing. Of course the US just spit in the face of the rest of the world, again, and now we will all suffer from the suns outburst.

      Damn GWB, Damn him to hell.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    2. Re:In other news... by dfn5 · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      President Bush was immediately blamed for the eruption as a result of ...
      But seriously, do we not live in the 21st century? When the hell is GWB going to get off his ass and construct a tin-foil hat for the planet? This is totally unacceptable.

      --
      -- Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
    3. Re:In other news... by Rycross · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The Kyoto Accords were made to prevent solar flares?

      ...

    4. Re:In other news... by ArsonSmith · · Score: 2, Funny

      With all the pollutants that are being pumped maliciously into the skies eventually float up to the Sun. As the sun orbits around the earth it scrapes through this layer of filth and causes damage to it. This damage will eventually erupt into a solar flare. This is the primary cause of global warming.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    5. Re:In other news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      in another, more perfect world i could see all of that happening

      parent = +5 funny

  21. 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I told ya... it's that climate change thingie!

    1. Re:4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years by Cat_Byte · · Score: 2, Funny

      This story is a dupe. I'm pretty sure I've seen it at least 3 times in the last 15 years. Besides if you watch Southpark you would know that global WARMING couldn't possibly bring on an ICE age.

      --
      Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one the bus load of girls just went down.
    2. Re: 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Everyone's got it so backwards and its really amusing. Global warming is caused by solar warming. This is directly related to the actions of previous democratic administrations, like Bill Clinton. Some like it hot, what can you do?

      No really, check out:
      http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/sun_output_0 30320.html

      FTA:
      Willson said the Sun's possible influence has been largely ignored because it is so difficult to quantify over long periods.
      End FTA;

      As is the CO2 output and the temperature trend over the last few thousand years, which you would need to do to trend climactic conditions with a reasonable amound of accuracy to see where we are *really headed.

      It's only been measured accurately for around 20 years, as has the sun's output. Coincidence? I think not.

      Amazing how the solar warming trend is conveniently ignored by the birkenstock crowd when talking about this issue.

      FTA:
      The new study shows that the TSI has increased by about 0.1 percent over 24 years.
      End FTA;
      That doesn't sound like a lot, til you consider the temperatures we are talking about. and:

      FTA:
      A separate recent study of Sun-induced magnetic activity near Earth, going back to 1868, provides compelling evidence that the Sun's current increase in output goes back more than a century, Willson said.
      End FTA;

      from http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/univ/acton.html:
      For decades, scientists have known that the surface of the sun is about 6,000 degrees Celsius while the corona soars to several million degrees.
      end from;
      6000x.001=6 degrees every 24 years. Since 1898, that's over 25 degrees C, many many more during periods of high activity. If the earth's temp management is as fragile as the GW crowd says it is, this has to have had at least some effect.

      This change is inexorable, unstoppable. While global warming may, arguably, be influenced by people, solar warming, is not, and long term, no matter what we do, we can't stop it. As stars age, they get hotter...

      l8,
      AC

    3. Re: 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years by argoff · · Score: 1

      This change is inexorable, unstoppable. While global warming may, arguably, be influenced by people, solar warming, is not, and long term, no matter what we do, we can't stop it. As stars age, they get hotter...

      I 2nd that. Every time the weather's off, or temperatures are higher, or any other anomily people go off screaming bloody murder that we need the government to control every last industrial and personal asset on the planet to save us from environmental doom.

      The truth is that almost all of these environmental regulations are welcomed by the industries they regulate because they increase barriers to entry making it harder for competitors to enter the market with newer, cleaner, more competitive technologies. This is Business 101 found in any MBA text book.

    4. Re:4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years by prichardson · · Score: 1

      As I'm not sure of the southpark reference, I don't know if you were being funny or not, but global warming can cause an iceage.

      Imagine just a little bit of the northern icecaps melting into the pacific ocean. Suddenly the North-Atlantic drift (the flow of warm water from the gulf of mexico to northern europe) ceases to warm norway and sweden. Norway and sweeden are pretty far north. The only thing that keeps them from freezing over is the north-atlantic drift. So if that doesn't keep them warm anymore then they freeze over, turn white, and reflect more sun away from the earth. This starts an iceage.

      Of course none of this is a guarantee, but that's one way it could happen.

      --
      Help I'm a rock.
  22. Vulcan by benhocking · · Score: 1

    I think it's a transit of Vulcan! (For those unfamiliar with the rich history of Vulcan, you should really follow the link.)

    --
    Ben Hocking
    Need a professional organizer?
  23. Not All Bad by Dr.+Mu · · Score: 2, Funny

    At least while we're standing on our roofs yelling into our cellphones, "Can you hear me now?", we can be enjoying the spectacular aurora borealis.

  24. Biggest. Flare. Ever. by MisterLawyer · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The biggest flare ever recorded was on April 2, 2001.

    This led to the coolest desktop picture ever (2400x2400, about 1 meg, be sure to wear sunglasses).

    Cool quote FTA: "Luckily, the flare was not aimed directly towards Earth!"

    1. Re:Biggest. Flare. Ever. by Articuno · · Score: 1

      The "Biggest Flare" happened at the nasa servers, after you posting a link to a 2400x2400 picture on Slashdot ?

      --
      So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
  25. I blame the Republicans by Phurd+Phlegm · · Score: 1

    Global warming is even affecting the weather on the sun! It's a joke . . . ah say . . . it's a joke, sun.

    1. Re:I blame the Republicans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Foghorn Leghorn! Yay!

  26. "low frequency navigation" by SuperBanana · · Score: 4, Interesting
    "and low-frequency navigation systems"

    I'm not positive, but I believe they're referring to ADF beacons, which are not used very much these days, except to confirm VHF beacons, and ADF technology is not terribly reliable (receivers can be fooled by lightning, for example.) Pilots are told to listen to the received audio carrier (which I believe contains a morse code sequence) to make sure they have a valid signal.

    Given that GPS was relatively popular in planes even 15 years ago (before they had ILS-certified GPS systems, so GPS has only become more popular) I can't see this being a problem except for some parts of the general aviation community which haven't chosen to install GPS panel-mount units or at least buy a handheld unit.

    I suppose they could also be referring to LORAN/LORAN-C (used mostly by boats, save during WW2), but...jesus christ, I hope nobody's still relying on LORAN...maybe as a backup to GPS, sure...but...yikes.

    1. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Red+Flayer · · Score: 1

      "'and low-frequency navigation systems'

      I'm not positive, but I believe they're referring to ADF beacons"


      What about cetacean navigational systems? Why don't they care about the whales?

      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
    2. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Believe it or not, ADF is still used. Sort of.

      A large number of aircraft instrument approaches are based on ADF navigation. Most, though not quite all, of these approaches allow the use of an approach certified GPS as a substitute.

      However, not every plane has as an approach certified GPS, as they cost beaucoup $$$$$. A $200 handheld GPS from the camping store, or even a $1000 handheld GPS from the pilot shop, cannot be legally used.

      But, the ADF, just like BSD and Apple, is certainly dying.

    3. Re:"low frequency navigation" by mdmarkus · · Score: 1

      Actually it just means they look at the map less often than w' high frequency navigation.

    4. Re:"low frequency navigation" by jcnnghm · · Score: 2, Informative

      We still use LORAN when we go deep sea fishing. It seems that the LORAN gets you a bit closer to where you really want to be and where the fish are biting than the GPS. This is in all likelihood do to the old GPS units, and that all of the LORAN->GPS numbers for the canyons were done while the signal was still scrambled. I'd imagine most of the LORAN numbers are probably 500 feet closer than the GPS numbers that we have recorded. Having said that, it is just as likely that it is just a case of paranoia, not to uncommon with fishing.

      --
      You don't make the poor richer by making the rich poorer. - Winston Churchill
    5. Re:"low frequency navigation" by yellekc · · Score: 2, Informative

      Loran (90-110 khz) is still operational, but if you want real low frequency navigation, you want Omega (10-14 khz). Omega ceased operations in 1997, but while operational its signals had a wavelength of around 25 kilometers, and were transmitted by 8 stations scattered across the globe. By receiving signals from three stations, am Omega receiver could locate a position to within 4 nm using the principle of phase comparison of signals. This made Loran-C (accuracy better than .25 nm) look damn accurate in comparison. These shortcoming aside, it was the first worldwide radio-navigation system.

    6. Re:"low frequency navigation" by chihowa · · Score: 1

      I know you're trolling, but just to avoid any (please, hopefully nonexistent) confusion out there... The article is referring to electromagnetic waves and whales use sound waves to navigate. Not the same thing...

      --
      If you want a vision of the future, imagine a youtube comments section scrolling - forever.
    7. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just this weekend I flew from Block Island RI to Norwood MA (next to Boston) with the occasional glance at the LORAN, then called passing the ADF fix on the approach. The GPS moving map was turned off, it's just one more distraction on a nice New England flying day.

      There are still a lot of instrument approach plates bearing the note 'ADF required'

    8. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uh? To a precision of 4 nanometers? ...

      Wow. That's pretty precise. Wtf are we using GPS for?

    9. Re:"low frequency navigation" by PatrickThomson · · Score: 1

      Let us not forget that GPS can be turned off at the push of a button, somewhere inside the US millitary machine - it's part of the british wartime contingency plans that we fall back to other systems, just in case.

      --
      I am one of many. My idea is not unique, nor do I expect my voice alone to sway you. I speak in a chorus of opinion.
    10. Re:"low frequency navigation" by leighklotz · · Score: 1

      Not VLF, but HF is used for communcations by Trans-Pacific flights.
      Pretty much every night that I listen to NOPAC I hear flights across the Pacific calling to Alaska or other points, getting info about flight conditions and spacing for other planes. When the HF is out, the planes form a relay network using VHF from plane to plane to relay messages. If that fails, the planes are supposed to make right-angle turns and space themselves out north and south of the route, to keep them from running into each other. It's all spelled out in the above document.

      In any case, these solar storms can take out the HF communcations for brief periods when they happen, and then again a few days later.

      What's really going to cause problems, though, is BPL which sacrifices the globe-circling capability of the 3-30Mhz HF spectrum for a short term monetary gain for energy companies.

      And when the sunspot cycle picks up again in 2007-2008, there's going to be terrific noise from these giant power-line antennas around the world bouncing all over the ionosphere, so expect your airplanes to be making more of those right-angle turns.

    11. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Yeah, I agree with the other poster. You have to have the units wrong on that. 4 nm is the width of 20 atoms, and there's no way you can even machine the receiver to those tolerances. (Not to mention the physical motion of the transmitter stations.)

      Even ignoring that, I don't know if it is possible to manufacture 100 kHz oscillators with the 1 part per trillion stability required to ensure the phase information. I guess atomic clocks can do 1 part in 100 trillion, so maybe you can do it.

    12. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      hmm, maybe he meant nautical miles. :-)

      that'd be more consistent with the technology involved.

      (stupid non-standard units. insert NASA-inches/millimeters joke here.)

    13. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Mspangler · · Score: 1

      "you want Omega (10-14 khz). "

      Yup! I remember the "stream the floating wire" (antenna for the Omega system) command over the loudspeaker which usually meant the SINS had puked again, and poor ET1 Burns was going to be spending a few hours toggling in a boot loader by hand, so as to get the paper tape loader working again to read in the real program.

      Ah, the bad old days (shudder) of the late '70s.

      It should be noted that our SINS was a castoff from an early (mid '60's) boomer. They got the new stuff in that regard. I wonder who got to recycle the 100-odd pounds of platinum-iridium alloy that stabilized the gimbals when they did retire the clunker?

    14. Re:"low frequency navigation" by t_allardyce · · Score: 1

      I'll feel safer when Galileo is up and running.

      --
      This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.
    15. Re:"low frequency navigation" by mikiN · · Score: 1

      m Omega receiver could locate a position to within 4 nm using the principle of phase comparison of signals.

      1 nanometer?? WhOw! That's a very impressive accuracy.
      Sure you didn't mean 1 nmi (nautical mile)?

      --
      The Hacker's Guide To The Kernel: Don't panic()!
    16. Re:"low frequency navigation" by mikiN · · Score: 1

      Well, make that 4 in both cases. Duh.

      --
      The Hacker's Guide To The Kernel: Don't panic()!
    17. Re:"low frequency navigation" by PatrickThomson · · Score: 1

      Didn't you hear? America is placing satellites up there with the ability to jam galileo signals. Dark day for us all.

      --
      I am one of many. My idea is not unique, nor do I expect my voice alone to sway you. I speak in a chorus of opinion.
    18. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nautical miles are standard units for ocean and air navigation.

      BIPM, which is the body responsible for SI (the metric system), lists the nautical mile as a unit "currently accepted" for use in SI. There is no agreed abbreviation though.

      A nautical mile was initially a minute (1/60 degree) of arc on a great circle of the globe.

      Because Earth is slightly oblate, the unit is now defined in terms of metres, at 1852m = 1 nautical mile. (Otherwise, around the equator a minute of arc (latitude) is about 1862m and through the poles (longitude) is about 1842m).

      Navigation based on people making star fixes is no longer of primary importance on (or over) open ocean. Almost always much more accurate coordinates are acquired using GPS or inertial reference systems. Moreover, computers do most of the processing of coordinates these days anyway. Consequently, a strong relationship between units of distance and great-circle degrees of arc is no longer particularly necessary.

      That said, Western ships and aircraft will almost always use navigational charts and instruments which give numbers in nautical miles and knots (nautical miles per hour).

      60 knots = 1 degree/hour so 600 knot (tailwind!) = 10 degree/hour

      when you have to make position reports every 10 degrees is a little easier than

      250 m/s = 900 km/hour (headwind!) = 10 degree / 1h14min [hehe or 175 milliradians / 4440 seconds]

      but not *that* much if you have a navigational computer, paper tables, a pocket calculator, and a laptop with a decent navigation program on it. Two or three of these may beep at the appropriate time to wake you up.

      In some areas though, km for ground-distance, metres for altitude and m/s (and sometimes km/hour) for speeds are standard. Navigating in Russian or (mainland) Chinese airspace is a treat for North Americans.

      Moreover, because most people outside the cockpit or bridge don't know what a nautical mile or knot (or sometimes even foot) is, more widely familiar measures -- SI or U.S. or sometimes both -- generally will be used in announcements.

      The *real* fighting takes place at these times between someone who converts between nautical miles and statute miles directly and someone who converts to metres first, since the latter two are officially defined in terms of metres.

    19. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It'd be more accurate to say that ground-based radio navigation aids won't be used for primary navigation for many years to come, than to single out one (non-directional beacons, NDBs) and their main type of in-cockpit instrument (automatic direction finder, ADF).

      ADF needles point to NDBs. Simple. Just like a compass needle points to the north magnetic pole.

      NDB-based approaches are being retired in the USA.

      NDBs themselves are likely to be retired there too, eventually.

      By contrast, NDBs are proliferating in Canada, where the outer markers at airfields are being upgraded from upward elliptical projection systems to non-directional beacons. (This is not precisely the same as a LOM; the OM is gone. MMs are also being withdrawn). Instrument approaches based on the NDBs are published corresponding to these NDBs and are useful when you can't use a localizer.

      NDB navigation is a fact of life in Canada and in several other parts of the world (Russia comes to mind most obviously).

      NDBs are cheap, much cheaper than VORs.

      ADFs are cheap, much cheaper than VOR receivers.

      NDBs have other advantages too... an NDB hold is usually easier than a VOR one. Useful reception range can be greater, particularly when there are line-of-sight issues.

      They're not dying, yet.

      On the other hand, VORs are not hard when you get used to them, and they're great in glass cockpits. (I prefer hand-flying NDB radials and intercepting and autopiloting VOR ones). VOR-DME is infinitely easier than measuring distance to an individual NDB.

      It wouldn't surprise me if VOR receivers wind up being universal in instrumented aircraft. If you have sufficient VOR density, as in most of the USA, what do you need NDB-receivers for?

      GPS is becoming popular too. GPS is great if you know its shortcomings and if you don't mind the fact that airworthy GPS receivers are *expensive*. (Consumer units can only be used for very limited things in aircraft, and in most places you may not use them for actual navigation, because they are error-prone to an unpredictable degree).

      If your GPS unit goes out (or flags integrity problems) and you're not over the continental USA, you'll probably find an NDB faster than a VOR. Find two and you know where you are. OK, you can do that with two VOR radials, too. Same with a VOR-DME. (And you can treat VORs as NDBs for position fixing purposes if you are lucky enough to have a dual-needle RMI -- it points to the VOR(s)/NDB(s) rather than indicating whether you're intercepting a given (VOR) radial).

      If GPS, future Galileo, and inertial reference systems drop in price to the point where everyone will just have them, then radio navigation aids of all flavours will almost certainly be turned off. Currently-deployed VORs, particularly at airfields, will likely stick around as long as there are ILS localizers and DME. These will be deprecated and relisted as backup navigational aids though.

      With present pricing, in areas where there aren't lots of already-paid-for VORs, NDBs will stick around as backup instead. That means that ADFs will too. There is little obvious reason to upgrade NDBs to VORs when GPS/WAAS and GPS/LAAS look like the (eventual) future.

    20. Re:"low frequency navigation" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Heard it yes, believed it no.

      Launching sattelites which do this will be prohibitively expensive. Threatening to do this, or even looking like maybe considering doing this, will encourage thinking about countermeasures against space-based DOS attacks against the system.

      Since people have mentioned ADF/NDB/ILS and even GPS/WAAS & LAAS already, it should be noted that the a good inertial reference constellation in combination latter two systems (or their analogues) could correct for even gross, deliberately-added GPS inaccuracies.

      EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System), a soon-to-be-deployed (and already 3 months late) precursor to Galileo, uses the same trick: it makes widely available, by broadcasting from geostationary orbit, corrections between precisely known geographical locations and the GPS locations read at those places. Horizontal position information should be good to one metre.

      There is no reason to use only satellite broadcast. An arbitrary set of fixes which report GPS differences can be used. Analysis can be applied against scrambling.

      Differential GPS is great. Threats of deliberate introduction of potentially hazardous position misinformation drives this technology along pretty well in the navigation world.

      DGPS is also being developed in interesting ways by earth sciences people measuring continental drift, and by UTC participants and other separated composite timescale people.

      So it's unclear whether in reality a widespread degradation of GPS or its competitors would be imposed, not just because it would be incredibly disruptive to lots of non-enemy users, but also because it might not actually work (at least not for long) against the enemies themselves!

    21. Re:"low frequency navigation" by ArsenneLupin · · Score: 1
      Uh? To a precision of 4 nanometers? ...

      nautical miles.

      (Had me fooled at first too...)

  27. yet another cool image by jangobongo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Here is another rather awe-inspiring picture from Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Lab.

    --

    Sig cancelled due to lack of interest
    1. Re:yet another cool image by deglr6328 · · Score: 1

      This is actually a TRACE image. Many more of which you can see here, along with actual movies.

      --
      - "Hear that?! The percolations are imminent! Cease your ingress!"
    2. Re:yet another cool image by Renstar · · Score: 1

      more images can be found at www.solarmonitor.org. these images are updated fairly often throughout the day, with links to movies of flares. the movies are made not long after they are detected

  28. lol by Idealius · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who are the jedi?

    The looters?

    1. Re:lol by Thud457 · · Score: 0, Redundant
      Have they found out who's jamming radio communications in New Orleans yet?

      Or was this one of them rumors you hear on the internets?

      --

      the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    2. Re:lol by Tackhead · · Score: 4, Funny
      > > > > This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^
      > > Attention, troops stationed in New Orleans. Execute Order 66!
      >
      > Who are the jedi?
      > The looters?

      "Yes, Lord! We need reinforcements, it's like a scene from Star Wars Galaxies down there!"
      - NL-421

      Seriously, I hate to duck a BOFH reference, but you know someone's gonna try and work the communications disruptions into a Katrina conspiracy theory... or use the expected communications disruptions as cover for a real conspiracy... or perhaps Karl Rove has a machine that can cause a solar flare, which is what he's using to disrupt communications as part of the metaconspiracy. Or all three, because making up non-falsifiable hypotheses is fun!

      And on that point, I can only say "Ha Ha, Only Serious". The reason conspiracy theories have "legs" is precisely because looking for conspiracies (real or imaginary) is fun. Our brains evolved in an environment where the ability to outguess our fellow primate band members was an extremely useful survival trait. So not only is inventing conspiracy theories fun, it's fun for a very good reason.

      So trust the Computer. The Computer is your Friend. Because it's not paranoia when they really are out to get you. (Confused yet? Good!)

  29. 5th largest in the last 30 years! by eMago · · Score: 2, Informative

    Not only the 4th largest in the last 15 years, but also the 5th largest in the last 30 years, which is from the beginning of measurements in 1976:

    http://www.spaceweather.com/solarflares/topflares. html

    There have also been reports, that the 10cm radio flux with 27000 sfu has been even greater, than that of the 04/11/03 event.

    --
    --- censored
  30. BOFH Excuse Generator by pete-classic · · Score: 3, Informative

    BOFHs everywhere rejoice!

    -Peter

  31. fantastic by tont0r · · Score: 0, Funny

    isnt this how the fantastic four were made? people hanging out in space and WHOOPS! SOLAR FLARE IN YOUR FACE! now you are made of rock.

  32. Super Flare - IMAX-Does anyone remember SolarMax? by Piewalker · · Score: 3, Informative

    Does anyone remember in the IMAX documentary Solarmax where a super solar flare is mentioned? If I remember correctly, a super-duper solar flare is long overdue, and it has the potential of wiping out our entire satellite fleet. Also, here you can find a more detailed account of the recent solar flare than the AP article that appears on CNN: http://space.com/scienceastronomy/050908_solar_fla re.html

  33. 0H N0! W3'R3 D00M3D!!111oneone by bibibibi · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Get me some tinfoil hats, you scaremongers.

    1. Re:0H N0! W3'R3 D00M3D!!111oneone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I prefer Aluminum foil for it's superior cooling abilities, which is important during times of intense solar activity.

  34. Here we go again by Ryosen · · Score: 3, Funny

    In related news, oil jumped $5.50 a barrel today on speculation that the disruption to cell phones, caused by the flairs, would prevent people from checking GasBuddy.com as they drive around town looking for who has the cheapest gas. Congress is expected to wave its arms in helpless frustration, shouting out "Oh, look, An Eagle!"

    --

    Ryosen
    One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
  35. Additional Flares May Be Coming by north.coaster · · Score: 2, Informative

    According to spaceweather.com, the sun spot that trigged this flare just became visible after transiting the far side of the sun for the past two weeks. Explosions later this week and next could produce some lovely September auroras.

    1. Re:Additional Flares May Be Coming by SleepyHappyDoc · · Score: 1

      Can we call this a 'flare war'?

      --
      Stasis is death. Embrace change.
  36. Damn right it is by m50d · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Took me the best part of two minutes to load this discussion page, and getting a reply page took anoø!%$^$@£ NO CARRIER

    --
    I am trolling
  37. This is just scare mongering! by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I'm not having any problems with !@#$ [NO CARRIER]

    --
    Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
  38. Dammit ... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

    I knew I shouldn't have bought that satellite phone just yet.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  39. Oh noes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    run!

    How long does a flare-up last?

  40. It's the end of the world as we know it... by Networkink*Man · · Score: 1

    First Katrina, then the lump in Oregon. Now solar flares?!

    Apocalypse Now!

    --
    "How am I supposed to remember you, when you won't let me forget?" --Bare Naked Ladies
  41. Bush's fault !!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    First he whipped up a hurricane and slammed it into the Gulf coast, now this. I'll bet he caused these flares so he can hide his secret communications with the oil companies...Bastard.

  42. Huricane Relief Workers by RalphBinaca · · Score: 1

    It's already disrupting communications. Got a call from one of our Emergency Management staff helping out in Mississippi and he said "all" technology was down. It lasted about four hours and affected their satphones and wireless broadband. Ironically, they started working as soon as he got me on my cellphone...and yet again, I look like a God. :)

  43. it would explain by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that rumor about jamming communications near New Orleans.

  44. MOD PARENT DOWN! (goatse pic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    somebody shut that troll up.

  45. FEMA to develop plan to deal with solar flares by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    In an announcement next Wednesday, FEMA director Ima Doofus announced that FEMA was ready to deal with the massive disruption a week later than the event. "We had a really important golf game. Watch this drive."

    In related news, the country of Belgium recently overtook the US in the size of their economy ...

    . laugh, it's a joke .

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  46. Voyager needs the Jedi: termination shock region by CDMA_Demo · · Score: 1


    Remember the Voyager mission? Every couple of years, deep space exploration vehicles experience the fists of fury from our very own yellow star. Check this out: Blast Wave Blows Through the Solar System

    The solar wind clashes with the gases in interstellar space leading to ripples that can interfere with our communication with voyager and other such ships. The current flares will catch up in a couple of years but before that the voyagers would have experienced something else too. Read this: Voyager Enters Solar System's Final Frontier

  47. Re:Caused by ... by Rycross · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yes because I'm sure that Bush really could have reversed decades of environmental damage caused by previous administrations in a matter of 5 years. This is assuming that global warming even "caused" Katrina in the first place, which is doubtful.

  48. On the other hand by snowwrestler · · Score: 1

    It is helpful for getting that ringworld back into position.

    --
    Build a man a fire, he's warm for one night. Set him on fire, and he's warm for the rest of his life.
  49. CQ DX by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    CQ DX CQ DX on 2 meters SSB.....

  50. I for one welcome our Solar [%!Z$L by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2, Funny

    [NO CARRIER]

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  51. Re:goldilocks and the three bear^H^H^H^Hfrequencie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I seriously doubt that. Medium frequency communications consist of radio communications sent between 300 kHz and 3 MHz. The only technology the general public uses in this range is the AM broadcast band. FM broadcast is very high frequency. 802.11b/g, cell phones, most cordless phones, satellite radio, and FRS radios are ultra high frequency. CB radio is high frequency. Satellite tv, 802.11a, and some cordless phones are super high frequency.

  52. Please. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    These are the best space-related pictures ever. This is pretty good, too. Another.

    The sun is just a single, average star. Deep space is where the real beauty lies. I think it's interesting that some these pictures are actually billions of years old. Imagine if some intelligent civilization out there is marveling at new pictures of our galaxy starting to form billions of years ago.

  53. It's more like this by robyannetta · · Score: 4, Funny

    Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
    Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?
    Ray: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath-of-God type stuff.
    Venkman: Exactly.
    Ray: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies. Rivers and seas boiling.
    Egon: Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes...
    Winston: The dead rising from the grave.
    Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!

    --
    - Just my $0.02, take with a grain of salt, your mileage may vary.
  54. Pull my finger! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And watch out for toxic gas coming from Uranus!

  55. Perminant Disruption by OzPhIsH · · Score: 1

    Imagine there was a perminant, or at least very long term disruption of these systems. How would we cope? Are people working on alternative forms of communication, electrical, and other systems that are immune to these kind of effects? Just how long would it take humanity to recover? Would it even be possible? Or would such a challenge simply encourgae us to find better, different means to implement the functionality of those systems?

    --

    "To lead the people, you must walk behind them"

  56. Re:Caused by ... by geomon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yes because I'm sure that Bush really could have reversed decades of environmental damage caused by previous administrations in a matter of 5 years.

    The point to my comment was that, regardless of the circumstances surrounding an event in the history of an Administration, it is *always* the responsibility of the sitting President to respond to a disaster. Whether the disaster was worse because of some problems from a previous Administration is irrelevant to the people who are suffering through it. The fact is that you take the job of President to accept responsibility, not dodge it.

    And I don't engage in debates of Democrats are worse than Republicans because I find them both to be two sides of the same bad penny. Bush is the President and has been for four years. Any attempt to dodge responsibility for anything that happens on his watch is just political grandstanding. It *is* his responsibility. The fact that Republicans have been preaching to the rest of America about taking personal responsibility for their actions makes his attempt to dodge it now all the more hypocritical.

    This is assuming that global warming even "caused" Katrina in the first place, which is doubtful.

    What caused you to come to the conclusion that it is doubtful that Katrina is caused by global warming?

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
  57. Permenant Disruption or Who Needs Cell Coverage? by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Are people working on alternative forms of communication, electrical, and other systems that are immune to these kind of effects?

    Where I work we're heavily shielded, and at home we can barely get cell phone reception for the same reason. But it is impacting my wireless laptop a bit - good thing I have cables to my DSL and Cable modem.

    But since I gave up cell phones, it's only the wireless reception I'd miss. Something good about not having people bug you when you're out and about.

    I imagine we'd adapt the way we adapted our lives to live with tech.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  58. Anyone who watches TV via antenna knew already... by dtolman · · Score: 1

    ...that communications were being disrupted, even if they didn't really understand that a solar flare was the reason why reception is lousy... All I could get clearly was channel 7 in my area ,which worked out just fine since it was showing the one show I was interested in - Lost.

  59. Obviously ... by tjstork · · Score: 0, Troll


    This must be caused by Global Warming. Everyone knows that if Bush would have signed Kyoto and all the Americans were driving better cars, the sun wouldn't be getting out of hand with these dangerous solar flares.

    --
    This is my sig.
  60. Is it the end of the world as we know it...? by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    First Katrina, then the lump in Oregon. Now solar flares?!

    Sounds more like the clap, actually. Or some other STD.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  61. All hail! by jonathanhowell · · Score: 2, Funny

    We should all bow to the mightiest slashdotter of them all!

    - Jonathan

  62. All beware!!!!!! by bjk002 · · Score: 1

    Your doom is at hand:

    http://members.tripod.com/~beastwatch/

    bah nevermind, this guy's just plain nutZ

    --
    Opinion:=TMyOpinion.Create(Me);
  63. Ah hah! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So that's why the internet has been so slow the last couple of days!

  64. Re:O/T: Please DoS this phisher by cronus42 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I hardly think that this is the correct place for putting out hits on IP's. Someone mod this OT. Take it elsewhere.

    --
    Cronus
  65. Has to be said by netfool · · Score: 1

    Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?

    --
    Left 4 Dead Gaming Group - http://www.l4dgg.com
  66. No Wonder my brain hurts by StillNeedMoreCoffee · · Score: 0

    And I thought it was just Bush's incompetence.

  67. what spacecraft operations? by demmer · · Score: 0

    this post reads like warth was a big player in solar system governance. there is one spacestation out there. ok satellites. dont count as most of them are military or entertainment and not nevessary to live. i say: let these flares come. i want to see northern lights down in vienna.

  68. Sun Is Ra by wytcld · · Score: 1

    King Tut was right. The sun is Ra -- the one and only God.

    That's why Bush couldn't break away earlier from his five-week worship session on the ranch. Then Ra would have been really angry.

    --
    "with their freedom lost all virtue lose" - Milton
  69. BLAME BUSH! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Any man who is directly responsible for complex weather patterns of Earth is most likely also to blame for coronal mass ejections!

    Come on liberals, let's pile on Bush about this atrocity!

  70. Biggest flare of all time by wsanders · · Score: 1

    http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/hotshots/X17/

    An X20+ in 1991, and we all survived.

    I wouldn't be too worried unless I was living on the ISS, or if I was a satellite. Where a tinfoil hat would be useful in such a situation (well, OK a lead foil one for my 'nads.)

    --
    Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he'll say "WHERE'S MY FISH, YOU IDIOT?"
    1. Re:Biggest flare of all time by winkydink · · Score: 1

      That's only because it was night when it hit us.

      --

      "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  71. It's not MY fault... by freeze128 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Firefox showed me the RSS link as:
    Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communicat...

  72. Almost, you forgot about the one on Nov 4, 2003. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Depends on how you define flare... If you use X-ray intensity, the Flare on Nov 4, 2003 was the 'biggest'. Of course when you get to flares as big as this, it's really an estimate to how high the peak X-ray flux was since the detectors were saturated at the time.

    Top Flares by X-ray flux

  73. no Comm = one less thing for FEMA to worry about by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's already been said by White House officials that levy failures were not something they considered and therefore it's a "perfect storm" event...blah blah blah.

    So since they can't seem to consider plans/moves beyond a couple of steps( see Iraq ), not having figured an emergency would require secondary Comm systems, they won't have to worry about this solar flare interfering with their non-existant Comm.

    Now if they actually HAD any communications down there in MS and LA then this could be somewhat of a concern. ;-)

  74. Correction: X28 on 4 Nov 03 by wsanders · · Score: 1
    --
    Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he'll say "WHERE'S MY FISH, YOU IDIOT?"
  75. Solar activity increase and cycles by SysKoll · · Score: 4, Informative
    The last solar maximum was in 2001, and the next one is in 2013. However, that doesn't mean solar activity is perfectly regular and predictable. There is a very nice article showing that the sun actually contracts and dilates with a period that is still not well known.

    We also know that the 17th century observations of the sun showed very few spots, whereas today spots are quite numerous. That's another variability.

    Finally, several scientific papers suggest that solar activity variations have a major effect on the climate, much higher than was previously thought. There is a 208-year cycle that generated drought in South America during recent history, and these solar-forced droughts killed the Maya empire among other victims.

    References: "A Variable Sun and the Maya Collapse", Kerr, Science, Vol 292, Issue 5520, 1293 , 18 May 2001 and Solar Forcing of Drought Frequency in the Maya Lowlands, Hodell, Science, Vol 292, Issue 5520, 1367-1370 , 18 May 2001.

    So the sun most probably holds the key to long-term climate changes. We need more studies, because obviously, after a few decades of space observations, we don't know enough about cycles that last centuries.

    --

    --
    Mad science! Robots! Underwear! Cute girls! Full comic online! http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/

    1. Re:Solar activity increase and cycles by thealpha · · Score: 1

      This was a very informative read right up until "So the sun most probably holds the key to long-term climate changes." Really? I thought maybe is was aliens or maybe gastric juices. I like a laugh in the morning.

  76. Only Dr Hans Zarkov, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    formerly at Nasa, has provided any explanation.

  77. Re:Caused by ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "What caused you to come to the conclusion that it is doubtful that Katrina is caused by global warming?"

    Because it was a big hurricane. Big hurricanes happen sometimes.

    Studies show that virtually everyone who eats a banana eventually dies. Therefore, bananas cause death. Ban them.

  78. Science: Recent Solar Flare Could DisBZZZT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Science: Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communications
    Posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday September 08, @03:52PM
    from the my-commnications-have-flar.d-up dept.
    w98 wrzzzz "CNN has reported tht the 4thhhh largeZZT sol f_are in the last 15 y m di_t communications. "Significant solBZZT [NO CARRIER]

  79. HAHAH mod the fuck up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    get it?

  80. Sorry, BPL users... by Snorpus · · Score: 1
    ... but I gotta crank up those 3CX800A7's in order to overcome the flare.

    1. Re:Sorry, BPL users... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nice driver tubes you have there. What do you use for the output stage?

    2. Re:Sorry, BPL users... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't know about him, but I use mine to drive a Svetlana 3CX15000A3. She just loafs on 75 meters when I have to work my buddy a mile across town.

  81. Question - In Flight Radiation? by CodeBuster · · Score: 1

    Suppose that someone was going to be flying in the next few days. How will this effect the slightly elevated radiation dosage that one would normally receive while flying for several hours at 30,000 feet?

  82. Re:goldilocks and the three bear^H^H^H^Hfrequencie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Thanks, Dr. Anus!

  83. Repost of An Old Solar Flare Post by stress4dad · · Score: 1

    See http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=84656&cid=7389 142 for an earlier (and tragically underrated) post relating to a good fiction novel that describes what it might be like if a really nasty solar flare and CME were pointed right at the earth.

  84. Re:Caused by ... by geomon · · Score: 1

    Because it was a big hurricane. Big hurricanes happen sometimes.

    But the frequency of large hurricanes is increasing, if the data is correct. Doesn't that indicate some energy increase may account for the increase?

    Studies show that virtually everyone who eats a banana eventually dies. Therefore, bananas cause death. Ban them.

    I understand logical fallacies, thank you. But if the people who eat bananas have a statistically higher chance of dying than anyone else in a general population then you can safely assume that bananas may be the contributing factor in their early demise. Given enough data you can actually make a positive correlation between eating bananas and early death.

    That is how they determined smoking causes early death.

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
  85. Re:Caused by ... by geekoid · · Score: 1

    "This is assuming that global warming even "caused" Katrina in the first place, which is doubtful."

    well, hurricane are increasing in numbers, and are tieed to the oceans, which are getting warmer.

    However, my issue with this Administration is that they were told a hurricane of this magnetude would do exactly what Katrina did, but the stopped funding that was needed to fix the levies. also so that could put the money into there illegal war and give financing to an unneeded and over-powered agency, DHS.
    That is why the blame for this disaster sits squarlly with the president.

    And remember :
    Thefirst rule of leadership is EVERYTHING is your fault.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  86. Re:Caused by ... by sean23007 · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's right. Smokers typically die before lunch, whereas non-smokers last until almost dinner time.

    --

    Lack of eloquence does not denote lack of intelligence, though they often coincide.
  87. Nice light by gallir · · Score: 1

    Huummmm, right now I'm seeing strange rays and light effects coming from the sun and #1th1~~7 could ~$#~ [ mea). Isn't t@|e nice?

    --
    sgis ddo ekil t'nod i
  88. Re:Caused by ... by Chris+Burke · · Score: 1

    So they're marketing cigarettes to mayflies now? Will the evils of the tobacco companies never end?!

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  89. Re:Caused by ... by mpthompson · · Score: 2

    But the frequency of large hurricanes is increasing, if the data is correct.

    Wrong. Here is the data from the National Hurricane Center on number of major hurricane strikes to the U.S. mainland each decade. Please show me where in this data the number of large hurricanes is increasing?

    Don't blindly buy into the "frequency of large hurricanes is increasing" myth being pushed by many so-called environmentalist. They have a political agenda, pure and simple.

  90. Being alert for a Solar Flare HOWTO by nherm · · Score: 3, Informative
    • Download & install gkrellm
    • Download & install Gkrellkam plugin (it's for getting images from webcams).
    • Set up the gkrellkam plugin to get the image from http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/c3/10 24/latest.gif, which is a LASCO instrument at SOHO (which we are turning into the world's most expensive webcam IMHO).
    • Also, set the number of second per update at 3600, so your image will update every hour (I don't know exactly the update times at soho website, I think 1 hour is ok)
    • Stay alert for some twisted structure like this

    I have four gkrellkam panels, one for watching sunspots, another for coronal holes (currently in "bake-out"), another for the auroral oval and the above one. The links for those images are:

    sunspots

    coronal holes

    Auroral oval (replace "pmapS.gif" to "pmapN.gif" for the northern hemisphere)

    Take a look to the SOHO website (lastest images->near realtime images) for more images... sadly the SOHO now is in a kind of blind point, so many of them are marked as "CCD Bakeout". Maybe it will be back online in a few weeks.

    Of course you can use gkrellkam for a lot of other purposes, like getting weather satellite images... oh, and getting images from a ordinary webcam ;)

  91. At least it was good for someone... by Fjornir · · Score: 1

    Some HAMs are reporting excellent signal propogation and some awesome DX contacts...

    --
    I want a new world. I think this one is broken.
  92. Huh. Who knew? by Moofie · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Guess that pesky global warming was actually a problem after all, if it's causing solar flares...

    --
    Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
  93. Re:goldilocks and the three bear^H^H^H^Hfrequencie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hey, fuck off. It wasn't even funny.

    Look, this will disrupt low frequency stuff because it is putting out junk in that region. But really, besides a few hams (50?), the power companies, and a few people in the the military, nobody gives a fuck about LF.

    It will disrupt high frequency communications because hf stuff depends on skywave propagation. Sky wave propagation is when radio waves bounce ionized layers of the upper atmosphere. Well, this solar flare ionized the hell out of the atmosphere, ionizing lower parts of it than normally are ionized, meaning that the radio waves get reflected back at a lower altitude than they normally are, greatly reducing the range the signal travels.

    It won't touch VHF and up, which is what the general public cares about, because this thing isn't spewing out noise in that range and propagation is line of sight anyway.

    So yeah, fuck you. Oh yeah, not a doctor yet. I am merely a grad student.

  94. well, what about... by smartsaga · · Score: 1

    ...the shift of the magnetic poles on Earth?

    Are they trying to mask the shift so people won't panic as much?

    I know this might be a bit off topic (like people cares these days) but I will sure look like a penguin wearing a tinfoil hat anyways...

    Have a good one.

    --
    ===== "Every head is a different world so don't invade mine you FREAK!" smartSAGA said
  95. Re:Caused by ... by geomon · · Score: 1

    Wrong.

    I stand corrected.

    Don't blindly buy into the "frequency of large hurricanes is increasing"

    I don't. You see that I put "if" in the statement you quoted. I see the facts and stood by your point.

    They have a political agenda, pure and simple.

    Who doesn't?

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
  96. No way by zippthorne · · Score: 1

    That "conspiracy theories only natural" meme is obviously planted by "the man" to keep us guessing and throwing out wild ideas instead of realizing the REAL conspiracy all around us.

    --
    Can you be Even More Awesome?!
  97. New X5 Flare by barakn · · Score: 1

    The current space weatherwith x-ray data and forecast. I haven't looked at SOHO images yet, so I can't say whether the CME is Earth-directed or not, or even if there is one.

    --
    "I'm so moist I'm sticking to the leather." -Kermit the Frog on The Late Late Show
  98. Re:Caused by ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You said "if the data is correct", implying there is data that show an increase. Just where is this incorrect data which you were referencing? Or were you just pulling it out of your ass?

  99. New X1.1 Flare and SOHO has missed it all by barakn · · Score: 1

    CCD bakeout and orbital maneuvers come at most inopportune time. It won't be ready 'til Friday morning.

    --
    "I'm so moist I'm sticking to the leather." -Kermit the Frog on The Late Late Show
  100. Communications Disruptions by pipingguy · · Score: 1


    I thought that this was caused by Slashdot's pending conversion to CSS and ongoing testing. Just goes to show what I know.

  101. U.S. is the cause by Morky · · Score: 1

    This is an obvious result of global warming. Fucking Kyoto-snubbing Bush.

  102. How do we see them before the bad stuff hits? by barfy · · Score: 1

    Seriously curious, isn't most of the stuff that causes trouble EM in nature, and if they are how come it takes a week longer than the light that made the image? Isn't this stuff travelling at the same speed?

  103. A real information source by brindafella · · Score: 1

    Information and images of the flare activity is available from the Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS) in Australia; especially the Solar page, that shows things like:
    List of X-ray flares
    Solar disk with flare image - Culgoora Observatory
    Spectrograph 25-180MHz) - Learmonth Observatory
    full disc image - Learmonth Observatory

    Then, there is the comprhensive Space Weather page.

    --
    Looking at space, radio, science and computing from a 'down-under' amateur enthusiast perspective.
  104. 11 year solar cycle? by Captain+Truffle+Pig · · Score: 1

    i may have got this wrong, but when i was a communicator in the royal navy, we had a big problem with sending and receiveing HF RATT signals, we called up the communications centre and they said it was down to the 11 year solar cycle, but that was only a couple of years ago. it screwed us up big time because we were in the middle of a mock war at the time and we had to stay up 19-20 hours at a time

    --
    Interesting, Oh no wait the other thing, Tedious
    1. Re:11 year solar cycle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wtf

  105. Corona Mass Ejection at Sun by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I thought a Corona Mass Ejection at Sun was what happened when a ragtag group of upstart programmers get drunk on Mexican beer and vomit at a release party for a new version of Java that causes fewer people to communicate via Microsoft technologies. At least, that's what Encarta told me...

  106. Solar Flare-run Power Grids vs Home Sol by newpath4comVersion2 · · Score: 0

    Home sol?! Yep. Home sun-equivalent. We need a power supply for each individual home that is not powergrid-dependent. We need systems of home oxygen production (http://www.newpath4.com/paget6.htm) and a stand-alone electrical generator that does not consume a fossil fuel (http://www.newpath4.com/enginesuspension.htm) . In essence, homes need to be individual standalone units, self-sufficient for our every need. Increased oxygen powerplant systems that increase our everyday health, kills anaerobic disease organisms from our homes, and aids our bodies to heal incredibly faster as if living inside a hyperbaric chamber. Raises the IQ of a developing fetus. Strengthens humanity. Within 2 generations we could be superhuman in intellect & strength. Most all of us in decent health would be enabled to run a marathon, rest for 15 minutes, and run a second marathon. Even babies that are afflicted with infirmities or retarded development (physical or mental) would be enhanced, perhaps nearly to the level we consider "normal" today. We're standing before a great threshold of improvement in humanlife and human society, waiting, waiting. Waiting for what? Why, waiting for what I have: http://www.newpath4.com/enginesuspension.htm . When I figure I can release it without being ripped off and someone else take the credit for my invention, you and your family will have it. Our patenting system is a relic & crippled. The power grid and satellites are vulnerable and breaking down. We shore them and baby them along which is costing us many billions of dollars each successive decade. Any system that staggers along on crutches needs replacing.

  107. Effects of large solar flares by Hungry+Admin · · Score: 1

    This flare knocked out HF communications on the daylight side of the planet for some time. When the lower layer of the ionosphere (the D-layer) gets strongly ionized, radio signals are absorbed before they get to the upper layers. Look up the term "SID" - Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance.

    If the coronal mass ejection had been directed at the Earth, we would probably have had an aurora. Then the power companies would be worrying about huge currents being induced in their transmission lines by the shifting geomagnetic field.

    Solar flares send large X-ray and relativistic charged particle fluxes smashing into satellites. Geomagnetic storms spawned by CMEs can also pump up the number of high-energy protons that smack into satellites.

    Yes, the public should be interested when giant solar flares and CMEs occur, they can disrupt commnications of many kinds.

    I'm just an Old Fart Ham Radio Operator who will be able to reach outside the disaster zone after the next earthquake/hurricane/whatever.

    --
    Be who you are and say what you feel, because the people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter don't mind.
  108. okee? by opteron() · · Score: 1

    shuldent bother DSL... hopefully...

  109. Re:Caused by ... by geomon · · Score: 1

    You said "if the data is correct", implying there is data that show an increase. Just where is this incorrect data which you were referencing? Or were you just pulling it out of your ass?

    Ya know, no good can come from admitting a mistake on this forum. Assfucks like yourself will just post as AC and shit all over the attempt to correct a mistake. What's the matter? Did your mom stop breast feeding you too early?

    Fuck you and your fucking AC post. I realize we all post nom de plume, but posting under our nicks at least gives our peers an opportunity to hold us somewhat accountable for what we write. Your post, however, is just fucking mean spirited and stupid and deserves the response it receives.

    If you don't like my posts then don't read or reply to them.

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"