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Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communications

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the my-communications-have-flared-up dept.

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."

4 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. 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.
  2. 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!"

  3. "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.

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    Please help metamoderate.
  4. yet another cool image by jangobongo · · Score: 4, Interesting

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

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    Sig cancelled due to lack of interest