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."

Comments

Sweet!

[Anonymous Coward]

This is my big chance to gain my super powers and become the evil genius I've always wanted to be.

ISS

[gmuslera]

I suppose the people in the ISS qualify as "high flyers", but NASA says that will be no risk for them

Re:ISS

[The Grim Reefer]

I suppose the people in the ISS qualify as "high flyers", but NASA says that will be no risk for them

"On the International Space Station there is a special thick-walled room to which the astronauts have had to retreat during times of increased solar radiation."

I'm guessing they'll be using this. At least until they add a deflector dish to reroute main power through. ;-)

Re:ISS

[Bengie]

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/

Re:Oblig XKCD!

[art6217]

Are you posting from the polar region?

After this solar storm..

[Anonymous Coward]

We'll be able to more clearly see a disk, a black flap, and a scorpion.

Re:Which radio freq's will be most affected?

[X0563511]

The reflection window will shift up (away from HF and towards UHF/VHF), meaning the lower frequencies will start to be absorbed while the higher ones start to reflect more (vs just refracting through)