Slashdot Mirror
Solar Eruption Triggers Strongest Radiation Storm
ForgedArtificer writes "A recent eruption on the sun will be exposing Earth to the strongest radiation storm seen since 2005. [The storm] will potentially disrupt communications and put high-flyers at risk of radiation exposure." Says Spaceweather.com: "On the NOAA scale of radiation storms, this one ranks S3, which means it could, e.g., cause isolated reboots of computers onboard Earth-orbiting satellites and interfere with polar radio communications." According to the Christian Science Monitor, "NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch, and the agency's deputy, Kathy Sullivan, said that polar flights are expected to be re-routed."
I know its been done before, but that has never stopped Hollywood...
âoeAny society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Crew members on the ISS have a special waiver -- they're allowed to receive a dose higher than what is considered a normal maximum dose for trained personnel.
If you're in space, you also get to enjoy flashes of light even with your eyes closed because of radiation interacting with your eye. I wonder if they stayed outside their protective room, if they would see a disco ball of light from the solar onslaught.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/22oct_cataracts/