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Polar Flares To Be Visible Tonight

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the shiny-happy-colors dept.

ideaMUX writes "NASA's solar dynamics observatory recently detected an M-class flare hurling a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. The CME is not fully directed toward Earth, but some of the plasma cloud may be visible in the magnetosphere tonight, causing a geomagnetic disturbance and possible aurora. NASA said M-class flares are medium-sized, and can cause brief radio blackouts that affect Earth's Polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow M-class flares."

11 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. Skinner! by swanzilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    Aurora Borealis?

    At this time of year?

    A this time of day?

    In this part of the country?

    Localized entirely within your kitchen?

    --
    0 = 1 + e^(Alt something)
  2. Re:From all residents outside the [ant]arctic circ by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Informative

    That's not quite right for this event.

    Here's a forecast for tonight's event, it's possible that anyone north of about 55 degrees in North America will get a glimmer.

    True, that leaves most of us SOL. But that's why CME events are special -- people who can't normally see the aurora borealis get a chance to view it.

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  3. Science Pron by cosm · · Score: 4, Funny

    Polar Bares Coronal Mass Erection III
    Guaranteed Plasma Cloud Shot

    --
    'We are trying to prove ourselves wrong as quickly as possible, because only in that way can we find progress.' RPF
  4. OMGZ - I can see them from here?! by eagee · · Score: 3, Funny

    That only happens like... never!

    Sincerely,

    Someone from Cleveland (you insensitive clods!)

  5. Earth has two poles by Cyberax · · Score: 4, Insightful

    In Australia, seriously. Aurora Australis is just as beautiful.

    Earth has two poles.

    1. Re:Earth has two poles by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 3, Informative

      The article's title and description refers to polar, so no where is it north-centric.

      Even the UAF site has a map for the Southern Hemisphere.

  6. Um... by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nicolas Cage just drove by my house really fast shouting into a cell phone. Should I be concerned?

  7. Hooray for dyslexia by jtownatpunk.net · · Score: 3, Funny

    Am I the only one who read that as "Polar Bears To Be Visible Tonight" and thought, "Holy crap, they're usually invisible?!?"

    1. Re:Hooray for dyslexia by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      Every see a polar bear in a snow storm?

      Here is a pic:

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  8. Nope... often visible in the continental US by fyngyrz · · Score: 4, Informative

    The only people in the US that will be able to see it live in Alaska

    Nope. I generally do pretty well here in NE Montana.

    This shot, and this one, are aurora photos from the CME event last week.

    --
    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  9. Son of Balmer by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I had a bipolar flare-up and tossed a chair.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.