Sunspot Tosses Plasma Cloud Toward Earth

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Sunspot Tosses Plasma Cloud Toward Earth

Posted by Soulskill on Friday January 20, 2012 @08:36AM from the how-inconsiderate dept.

parallel_prankster writes "The Washington Post reports that a huge sunspot unleashed a blob of charged plasma Thursday that space weather watchers predict will blast past the Earth on Sunday. Satellite operators and power companies are keeping a close eye on the incoming cloud, which could distort the Earth's magnetic field and disrupt radio communications, especially at higher latitudes. The huge blob of charged gas spotted by NASA satellites is speeding toward Earth at more than 2 million mph. The most damaging solar discharges, which are very rare, can move at speeds more than twice that fast. Here's a more detailed article with some animation."

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Anonymous Coward releases huge first post by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 08:39 · Score: 2, Funny

Anonymous Coward releases huge first post towards slashdot discussion.
1. Re:Anonymous Coward releases huge first post by akeeneye · 2012-01-20 08:40 · Score: 0, Offtopic
  
  Devastating.
  
  --
  The man who dies rich dies disgraced. -- Andrew Carnegie
Could this cut off Facebook access? by akeeneye · 2012-01-20 08:39 · Score: 5, Funny

Oh the humanity!

--
The man who dies rich dies disgraced. -- Andrew Carnegie
1. Re:Could this cut off Facebook access? by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2012-01-20 08:54 · Score: 1, Flamebait
  
  Heh, yeah, time wasting on Slashdot is much more fashionable!
  
  --
  
  "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
2. Re:Could this cut off Facebook access? by RenderSeven · 2012-01-20 09:13 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  It will just cut off any useful Facebook access. Oh, wait... never mind.
3. Re:Could this cut off Facebook access? by Nidi62 · 2012-01-20 09:16 · Score: 2
  
  Only if we're really lucky.
  
  --
  The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
4. Re:Could this cut off Facebook access? by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2012-01-20 10:28 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I've thought long and hard about my flamebait moderation and I was just like to stop and apologize for implying that posting on Slashdot in the middle of a work day is as much of a waste of time as Facebook. I never meant any harm and I hope we can put this behind us.
  Now let's return to our discussion about how much Facebook sucks in this story about a plasma storm.
  
  --
  
  "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
5. Re:Could this cut off Facebook access? by hairyfeet · 2012-01-20 13:18 · Score: 1
  
  Good God man, don't even joke about such a thing! Think about it, think about every. single. person. you know that practically lives on that crap and suddenly they don't have access.....and you're a geek....who knows about computers.....Jesus Tap Dancing Christ on a crutch man our phones will be ringing off the damned hook, on a Sunday no less!
  
  --
  ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
6. Re:Could this cut off Facebook access? by rubycodez · 2012-01-21 07:11 · Score: 1
  
  just turn off your cell phone and blame it on the Plasma Cloud
Mayan Calendar by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 08:39 · Score: -1

Coincidence? Or does this remind you of a scheduled event per the Mayan Calendar anyone?
1. Re:Mayan Calendar by darkpixel2k · 2012-01-20 08:43 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Coincidence? Or does this remind you of a scheduled event per the Mayan Calendar anyone?
  Hmm...let me check my Mayan calendar...
  
  ...hmm...Thursday I have that office party....and next Sunday is your mother's birthday....
  
  uh...nope--no scheduled giant plasma cloud.
  
  --
  There's no place like ::1 (I've completed my transition to IPv6)
2. Re:Mayan Calendar by tripleevenfall · 2012-01-20 08:55 · Score: 1
  
  It reminds me of manbearpig... We'd better pass some laws against plasma clouds immediately! :)
3. Re:Mayan Calendar by gestalt_n_pepper · 2012-01-20 11:00 · Score: 1
  
  No worries. Those giant plasma cloud events are never as much fun as the brochures make them look. Oh, sure they've got zero gravity, but how entertaining is that really?
  
  --
  Please do not read this sig. Thank you.
4. Re:Mayan Calendar by celtic_hackr · 2012-01-20 13:32 · Score: 1
  
  The Sky is falling!
  The Sky is FALLING!
  Oh, wait ... no that's just a Russian probe. My bad.
5. Re:Mayan Calendar by Dachannien · 2012-01-20 20:29 · Score: 1
  
  Those office parties are the best! They always find the hottest virgins to toss off the ziggurat.
Another sequel to the 1958 hit by SJHillman · 2012-01-20 08:40 · Score: 1

The summary just makes me thing of The Blob so I have trouble taking it seriously.
1. Re:Another sequel to the 1958 hit by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 08:53 · Score: 0
  
  It swoops and slides
  and whips through o-pen space
  It creeps and sweeps
  and cuts through radio waves
  BEWARE OF THE BLOB
  With apologies to The Five Blobs
2. Re:Another sequel to the 1958 hit by X0563511 · 2012-01-20 09:14 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Would this help you take it more seriously?
  (really, nothing to worry about anyway. it will just fuck up radio propagation and such)
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
3. Re:Another sequel to the 1958 hit by pixelpusher220 · 2012-01-20 10:48 · Score: 1
  
  I vaguely remember something about the satellites used to detect these types of events being near their useful life expectancy and that there wasn't money to replace them being allocated.
  
  Anybody have anything on that? googling didn't seem to turn up much wheat vs chaff... or maybe I'm thinking of earth weather satellites not being replaced...
  
  Just randomly thinking out loud.
  
  --
  People in cars cause accidents....accidents in cars cause people :-D
Shinku... by PlatyPaul · 2012-01-20 08:45 · Score: 4, Funny

Hadoken!

--
Misery loves company. Online misery loves unsuspecting random strangers.
1. Re:Shinku... by Daetrin · 2012-01-20 09:20 · Score: 1
  
  That is a stupid and immature response for such an important topic!
  
  Everyone knows it should be "Kame-Hame-Ha!"
  
  --
  This Space Intentionally Left Blank
2. Re:Shinku... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 11:05 · Score: 0
  
  REFLECT!
3. Re:Shinku... by l00sr · 2012-01-21 11:44 · Score: 1
  
  HaDOOOOOOken
  FTFY.
Oh man by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 08:46 · Score: 0

How do these events affect the Space Elevator we'll start building in the next few years? We better hurry too, we seem to be unable to right a small boat in a river, I wonder how long it'll take to build a space elevator?
Aurora by scubamage · 2012-01-20 08:46 · Score: 1

So, does this mean there will be lots of auroras sunday night? I've never seen one before, and would absolutely love the chance.
1. Re:Aurora by bored_engineer · 2012-01-20 08:59 · Score: 2
  
  Probably not, unless you live at a pretty high latitude. If it's not cloudy and doesn't cool off from the current balmy temperature of -35F, then I'll be out taking pictures on Sunday.
who cares? by DumbMarketingGuy · 2012-01-20 08:47 · Score: -1

How is this "news for nerds" or "stuff that matters"? Is it just me or is slashdot turning into Fox News recently?
I didn't read the article, but I doubt this is as much of a big deal as the sensationalist tile makes out.
1. Re:who cares? by M0j0_j0j0 · 2012-01-20 08:50 · Score: 1, Interesting
  
  Because it is 2012 and all common spacial activities will be labeled as the "end of the world" like event, for the , i told you so at a starbucks near you.
2. Re:who cares? by X0563511 · 2012-01-20 09:20 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Perhaps it's "news for nerds" because it does actually affect nerds?
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
3. Re:who cares? by Chris+Burke · 2012-01-20 09:45 · Score: 2
  
  You don't think coronal mass ejections -- a stream of plasma bigger than our planet and traveling at millions of miles an hour -- or other aspects of space weather are nerdy?
  Um, okay.
  Anyway, who cares? I care. This is very nerdy news which I am happy to have on /.
  
  --
  
  The enemies of Democracy are
4. Re:who cares? by haruchai · 2012-01-20 09:47 · Score: 1
  
  Buddy, you're are on the wrong site, if you need this explained to you. Are you, perchance, related to Seth at UserFriendly?
  
  --
  Pain is merely failure leaving the body
5. Re:who cares? by aplusjimages · 2012-01-20 09:51 · Score: 1
  
  Um it matters because some nerds haven't finished Skyrim. This could be a deadline.
  
  --
  Can I bum a sig?
6. Re:who cares? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 10:53 · Score: 1
  
  Coming from a guy named "DumbMarketingGuy (171031)", it's pretty hard to explain to a non-nerd like yourself why nerds find nerdy things interesting. You just aren't going to "get it"
  In fact you are likely going to find NOTHING of interest on this website.
  The "Stuff that Matters" bit is implied the stuff only matters to slashdots target audience, aka nerds, not you.
  Perhaps you would prefer the stock tickers on Fox news instead?
  Or perhaps you should just refrain from posting until a story pointing out your marketing companies slimy tactics comes up where you get paid to astroturf.
7. Re:who cares? by plopez · 2012-01-21 09:24 · Score: 1
  
  LMAO. When reading the other responses to this post I heard a bunch of whoosing noises. Read the OP's handle if you need a clue.
  
  --
  putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
It is likely to miss by Cochonou · 2012-01-20 08:47 · Score: 5, Informative

If you are interested in such matters, you will follow the Space Weather Prediction Center site. Here is their latest advisory:

SWPC Forecasters have determined that the CME from NOAA Region 1402 near disk center yesterday will likely pass above (north) of Earth. This glancing blow will cause just G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic Storm activity. Look for the first signs of it around 1800Z (1:00 pm EST) on Sunday, January 22, with the bulk of the disturbance to occur Monday, January 23. Watch here for updates.
1. Re:It is likely to miss by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:05 · Score: 0
  
  Yeah, but "This glancing blow will cause just G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic Storm activity" sounds so much less dire than the "Sunspot Tosses Plasma Cloud Toward Earth" and "huge blob of charged gas spotted by NASA satellites is speeding toward Earth at more than 2 million mph."
2. Re:It is likely to miss by Mashiki · 2012-01-20 09:31 · Score: 1
  
  Hmm. Well like usual, in Canada. It'll be cloudy, with snow. So, looks like there won't be anything to see anyway.
  
  --
  Om, nomnomnom...
just great by nimbius · 2012-01-20 08:53 · Score: 0, Offtopic

Sunspot and Plasma cloud. two more things my Oracle contract will surely never support.

--
Good people go to bed earlier.
1. Re:just great by M0j0_j0j0 · 2012-01-20 08:58 · Score: 1
  
  Revise your terms, on the "sunspot" at least.
A question: by 3seas · 2012-01-20 08:56 · Score: 2

What makes for a good shielding for home electronics on such matters? Lead sheets?
1. Re:A question: by M0j0_j0j0 · 2012-01-20 08:59 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Tin foil hat should be enough
2. Re:A question: by The+Grim+Reefer · 2012-01-20 09:02 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  What makes for a good shielding for home electronics on such matters? Lead sheets?
  Lead sheets crumble and make a mess, and probably won't do you much good. I think a Faraday cage is what you are looking for.
3. Re:A question: by willaien · 2012-01-20 09:04 · Score: 1
  
  Tinfoil over your head is a start. Shape it in a hat shape.
  Seriously, though, you'd have to build a faraday cage.
4. Re:A question: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:11 · Score: 0
  
  I recommend having an atmosphere and a planetary magnetic field. Works for me.
5. Re:A question: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:27 · Score: 0
  
  Holy crap, is it Tim Rue? Still psychotic, eh??
  Love your 1990s web site!
  How about some nice Haloperidol with those lead sheets?
6. Re:A question: by gestalt_n_pepper · 2012-01-20 11:01 · Score: 1
  
  Whoa! Good thing I have several!
  
  --
  Please do not read this sig. Thank you.
7. Re:A question: by John+Hasler · 2012-01-20 12:37 · Score: 1
  
  Pedantically, though, CMEs cannot directly damage your home electronics.
  
  --
  Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
8. Re:A question: by overpar · 2012-01-20 13:29 · Score: 1
  
  You just need some plasma credits.
9. Re:A question: by celtic_hackr · 2012-01-20 13:59 · Score: 2
  
  Well that depends on your definition of damage.
  If you mean it can't permanantly damge the physical structure of your home electronics, then yes.
  However, the Earth's protective shield will not stop highly energetic charged particles from entering the atmosphere. It will not stop the above average X-Rays incumbent with SMEs. While An old AT 8086 computer was not likely to be impacted by highly energetic particles smashing through them, the newer much, much more densely packed chips of today have much higher probabilities of have bits randomly flip by these kind of events. Still very highly improbable.
  It's very plausible that a large Solar storm could cause you to lose that last half hour's worth of work because you didn't save it regularly.
  But as this storm is going to pass "above" the Earth, I'd say we have very little chance of any effect. Unless of course you happen to be in orbit above the pole in a Tardis or Goa'uld ship, or are a spy satellite.
10. Re:A question: by not-my-real-name · 2012-01-20 14:35 · Score: 2
  
  For electromagnetic shielding, you want something that is highly conductive. Lead is a poor conductor, so it wouldn't be very good (unless you cool it enough to become superconducting). Silver would be good, but is a bit expensive. Copper is almost as good, but still expensive, though not as much as silver. Aluminum is fairly good and readily available. I would suggest wrapping any electronics that you're worried about in aluminum foil.
  That said, for this sort of event, just unplugging your electronics or using a good surge suppressor would be adequate.
  
  --
  un-ALTERED reproduction and dissimination of this IMPORTANT information is ENCOURAGED
11. Re:A question: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-21 08:07 · Score: 0
  
  A home microwave oven happens to be a faraday cage, if you are concerned you could put your smartphone and laptop and anything else that may be fragile in your microwave for the duration. Just don't forget and turn it on!
12. Re:A question: by plopez · 2012-01-21 09:25 · Score: 1
  
  Just make sure it's *tin* and *not*aluminum*.
  
  --
  putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
AAAARHHHH by j35ter · 2012-01-20 08:57 · Score: 3, Funny

We're all gonna die!!!!
*runs to the nearest adult store for shelter*

--
Delta-Mike November Bravo Tango
1. Re:AAAARHHHH by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:13 · Score: 0
  
  Sooner or later, that will be the case.
Invest in T-Shirts by retroworks · 2012-01-20 09:01 · Score: 2

" I survived the sunspot blob of plasma 2012 "

--
Gently reply
1. Re:Invest in T-Shirts by gestalt_n_pepper · 2012-01-20 11:02 · Score: 1
  
  And all I got was this lousy plasma burn.
  
  --
  Please do not read this sig. Thank you.
What Happened To My Files? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:04 · Score: 0

I was hosting my data on Sun's cloud!
HA! AT LAST! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:08 · Score: 0

Let's see them blame this one on Obama!
1. Re:HA! AT LAST! by jcwayne · 2012-01-20 09:40 · Score: 1
  
  Well he did just sing at the Apollo.
  
  --
  Failure to follow this advice may result in non-deterministic behavior.
I direct your attention to the Absorption Map by GodfatherofSoul · 2012-01-20 09:09 · Score: 3, Funny

Clearly, Jesus does not like South America, and by implication the pagan parade of sin and debauchery that is Carnivale. Repent!
Pat Robertson

--
I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
1. Re:I direct your attention to the Absorption Map by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:39 · Score: 0
  
  Funny, but this is obviously the work of the Egyptian God Ra.
2. Re:I direct your attention to the Absorption Map by thestudio_bob · 2012-01-20 09:53 · Score: 1
  
  Clearly, Jesus does not like South America, and by implication the pagan parade of sin and debauchery that is Carnivale. Repent!
  Jesus doesn't like vampires, but vampires like pagan parades and sin.
  Rob Pattinson
  
  --
  The real Sig captains the Northwestern. This one captains /.
3. Re:I direct your attention to the Absorption Map by evilviper · 2012-01-20 20:23 · Score: 2
  
  Clearly, Jesus does not like South America,
  Being in So.Cal, I asked my neighbor, Jesus Hernandez, if that was true. He said he only went there for a short trip once, but he liked South America just fine.
  
  --
  Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
The upside by The+Grim+Reefer · 2012-01-20 09:19 · Score: 5, Interesting

I think the upside to this is stated at the end of TFA:

Besides sparking pretty auroras, heightened solar activity has a more tangible benefit: It cleans up space junk. As the sun acts up, the Earth’s atmosphere expands, increasing friction on dead satellites, rocket parts and other trash in low Earth orbit, pulling them down.
The amount of debris in Earth orbit “actually decreased during 2011 as solar activity increased toward an anticipated maximum,” NASA’s chief space junk watcher, Nicholas Johnson, wrote in the January issue of the agency’s Orbital Debris Quarterly Newsletter.
1. Re:The upside by Chris+Burke · 2012-01-20 09:50 · Score: 1
  
  Ha! Now that's a technique for clearing up space junk that I haven't heard proposed before: Induce CMEs in the sun!
  Somebody get to work on that. Preferably someone who isn't by appearance or name obviously a mad scientist.
  
  --
  
  The enemies of Democracy are
2. Re:The upside by celtic_hackr · 2012-01-20 14:04 · Score: 1
  
  But everyone knows mad scientists make the coolest technology devices.
  Admit it, you'd love to have some of those evil scientist toys.
Glancing blow only by TheSync · 2012-01-20 09:29 · Score: 1

From http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
"2012-01-20 16:35 G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic Storm Possible January 23
SWPC Forecasters have determined that the CME from NOAA Region 1402 near disk center yesterday will likely pass above (north) of Earth. This glancing blow will cause just G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic Storm activity. Look for the first signs of it around 1800Z (1:00 pm EST) on Sunday, January 22, with the bulk of the disturbance to occur Monday, January 23."
unit conversion by ThePeices · 2012-01-20 09:30 · Score: 4, Informative

For those that need to know, that plasma cloud is travelling at almost 5.7 billion furlongs/fortnight.
1. Re:unit conversion by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 10:05 · Score: -1
  
  Humans are extremely poor at judging anything much larger than themselves. That number up there means nothing to me just as much as 3.219 million km/h does... So if that response was a personal issue you're dealing with because miles hurt your brain one day, I feel for ya.
2. Re:unit conversion by Thaedron · 2012-01-20 10:20 · Score: 0
  
  LOL... On what plant / alien world is furlongs/fortnight a relevant or commonly used measure of velocity?
3. Re:unit conversion by BluBrick · 2012-01-20 10:29 · Score: 1
  
  We seem to have discovered another AC who needs to hand in his geek card.
  
  --
  Ahh - My eye!
  The doctor said I'm not supposed to get Slashdot in it!
4. Re:unit conversion by gestalt_n_pepper · 2012-01-20 11:04 · Score: 1
  
  Could you put that in terms of femtocubits per lakh?
  
  --
  Please do not read this sig. Thank you.
5. Re:unit conversion by John+Hasler · 2012-01-20 12:40 · Score: 1
  
  thumper/~ units
  2684 units, 85 prefixes, 64 nonlinear units
  You have: lakh
  Unknown unit 'lakh'
  
  --
  Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
6. Re:unit conversion by dkf · 2012-01-20 21:15 · Score: 1
  
  Unknown unit 'lakh'
  It's a dimensionless quantity that's equal to 100k.
  GP is indeed ignorant, as he was asking for a velocity expressed without any time units involved. That won't ever work.
  
  --
  "Little does he know, but there is no 'I' in 'Idiot'!"
7. Re:unit conversion by rubycodez · 2012-01-21 07:15 · Score: 1
  
  0.0001 C
8. Re:unit conversion by rubycodez · 2012-01-21 07:17 · Score: 1
  
  c is planck unit of velocity, by the way.
Here is the probable outcome of the cloud... by Falkentyne · 2012-01-20 09:34 · Score: 0

...hitting earth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY6vlTdNNjU
study of energy transfer by phrostie · 2012-01-20 09:37 · Score: 2

I know our magnetic field protects us from the radiation, but has there been a study to see if and how much energy from the flares and CMEs gets converted into heat?
1. Re:study of energy transfer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 10:32 · Score: 0
  
  Well you hear about the link between sunspots and climate*, and sunspots are associated with solar flares, coronal mass ejections, etc.
  So probably.
  *I.e., there is less sunspot activity now, so we should be in a somewhat cold period.
The accuracy of it all... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:43 · Score: 0

It's amazing that the Sun can hit us so often... I think it hates us
think of the upside by ozduo · 2012-01-20 09:45 · Score: 1

At least this will give Hollywood some new script material instead of remaking classics into shockers. I.E. Chuck Norris kicks the solar storm's butt, would be an instant classic!!

--
I got to the chocolate box before you, that's why the hard ones have teeth marks.
1. Re:think of the upside by Reservoir+Penguin · 2012-01-21 05:27 · Score: 1
  
  Seems already covered http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448011/
  
  --
  US-UK-Israel: The real Axis of Evil
sex with a 5hit by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 09:51 · Score: -1

Up my toys. I'm reasons why anyone *BS9D has lost more getting together to about half of the much organisation, Free-loving climate and abroad for FreeBSD core team
Oh noes kangaroo!! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 10:37 · Score: 0

So much for tuning into radio Australia on the HF this weekend :(
Oracle at fault again by Mostly+a+lurker · 2012-01-20 11:01 · Score: 1

Since the Oracle take over, it seems all Sun's products have been degraded. The likely consequences of allowing Oracle monopoly control of Sun were clear from the beginning. The interference with Java, OpenOffice and MySQL was bad enough, but they are now allowing Sun to emit dangerous plasma clouds. When are the responsible authorities going to take action to prevent Oracle from inconveniencing us all in this way.
1. Re:Oracle at fault again by rubycodez · 2012-01-21 07:20 · Score: 1
  
  Ellison's brain plasma clouds (colloquially known as brain farts) get bigger and louder, but they do no more harm now than they ever did
No it doesn't. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 11:54 · Score: -1

You moron. If you don't believe they were right about it being December, why would there be any better reason to believe it would still be 2012 in that case? You can't just pick and choose some bits of it and not others and pretend it's still a match.
1. Re:No it doesn't. by Hognoxious · 2012-01-20 22:29 · Score: 2
  
  You can't just pick and choose some bits of it and not others and pretend it's still a match.
  You can if it = { Koran, Bible, Torah }
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
That's a lot of fast! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 11:59 · Score: 0

So, 2 million fast * 2 = 4 million fast?
Rimshot? Anyone? by Cazekiel · 2012-01-20 16:59 · Score: 2

Imma get a big jar and scoop it up to sell to a blood bank. I'm either hilarious, or I really, really need to go to bed.

--
You want to know how to help your kids? LEAVE THEM THE F*&K ALONE. --George Carlin
Forget FB, what about the playoffs? by cellocgw · 2012-01-21 02:10 · Score: 1

If TV transmissions are interrupted during the NFL playoffs, I predict massive suicides and/or increases in alcohol consumption across the USA.

--
https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
Charged gas? by lee1 · 2012-01-21 02:14 · Score: 2

A solar physics expert will please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe CMEs are made of neutral plasma. I don't know where the original article got the " charged gas" description. They are magnetized, like the solar wind, which is why they interact with the earth's magnetic field
Tech terms or science terms? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-21 08:43 · Score: 0

At first I assumed "Sunspot" and "Plasma cloud" were open-source projects I had never heard of, making the headline tough to parse. Turns out I wasn't far off: Sun SPOT is a wireless sensor network by Sun Microsystems, and "plasma cloud" can refer to a type of fractal algorithm. The practice of naming tech projects after cool science things is reaching a very confusing level, especially for sites like Slashdot that feature both types of news.
Cheap solar flare detector? by plopez · 2012-01-21 09:29 · Score: 1

OK, I know radios can detect lightning bursts. But is there a cheap, easy, interesting, and effective way to detect solar plasma hitting the Earth's atmosphere? I don't have the budget of ARPA or NSA so cheap, ACAT. Any good recommendations out there?
If so it it would also make a great HS science toy as well.

--
putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+