Asteroid 2012 DA14. Historical Event. Passing Within Geosynchronous Ring.

Asteroid to pass close by Earth on Friday

* Nearest approach at 2:24 p.m. EST/1924 GMT on Friday

* No chance of impact, scientists say

* Encounter will cause asteroid's orbit to change

By Irene Klotz

BOSTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - A newly discovered asteroid about half the size of a football field will pass nearer to Earth than any other known object of its size on Friday, giving scientists a rare opportunity for close-up observations without launching a probe.

At its closest approach, which will occur at 2:24 p.m. EST/1924 GMT, the asteroid will pass about 17,200 miles (27,520 km) above the planet traveling at 8 miles (13 km) per second, bringing it nearer than the networks of television and weather satellites that ring the planet.

Although Asteroid 2012 DA14 is the largest known object of its size to pass this close, scientists say there is no chance of an impact, this week or in the foreseeable future.

Currently, DA14 matches Earth's year-long orbit around the sun, but after Friday's encounter its flight path will change, said astronomer Donald Yeomans, with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

"The close approach will perturb its orbit so that actually instead of having an orbital period of one year, it'll lose a couple of months," Yeomans said. "The Earth is going to put this one in an orbit that is considerably safer," he said.

The non-profit Space Data Association, which tracks satellites for potential collisions, analyzed the asteroid's projected path and determined no spacecraft would be in its way.

"There is no reason to believe that this asteroid poses a threat to any satellites in Earth orbit," Space Data operations manager T.S. Kelso said in a statement.

read more at THIS LINK

FROM NASA
IMAGES 

Graphic depicts the trajectory of asteroid 2012 DA14 on Feb 15, 2013. In this view, we are looking down from above Earth's north pole. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
› Larger view

Graphic depicts the trajectory of asteroid 2012 DA14 during its close approach, as seen edge-on to Earth's equatorial plane. The graphic demonstrates why the asteroid is invisible to northern hemisphere observers until just before close approach: it is approaching from "underneath" our planet. On the other hand, after close approach it will be favorably placed for observers in the northern hemisphere. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
› Larger view

---

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Q: What is asteroid DA14

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14 is a small near-Earth object – approximately 150 feet (45 meters) in diameter. On Feb. 15, 2013, the asteroid will pass by our planet at a remarkably close distance, but the asteroid’s path is understood well enough that there is no chance of a collision with the Earth.

Q: What date and what time will the asteroid be closest to Earth?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14 will be closest to Earth on Feb. 15 at approximately 19:24 UTC (2:24 p.m. EST/11:24 a.m. PST). This time may change by a minute or two as the asteroid is tracked on its approach and predictions are refined.

At the time of closest approach, the asteroid will be over the eastern Indian Ocean, off Sumatra -- approx. latitude: -6 deg South. / longitude: 97.5 deg East.

Q: How far away will asteroid 2012 DA14 be at time of closest approach?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14 will be only about 17,200 miles (27,700 kilometers) above Earth's surface at the time of closest approach on Feb 15, 2013. This distance is well outside Earth's atmosphere, but it is inside the belt of satellites in geostationary orbit, which is located 22,200 miles (35,800 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. The close-approach distance is only about one-tenth the distance between Earth and moon. Another way to express the distance between asteroid and Earth at time of closest approach is 4.4 Earth radii from Earth’s surface – or about twice the diameter of the Earth.

Q: Could asteroid DA14 impact Earth?

 A: No. The orbit of asteroid 2012 DA14 is well understood – it will not come any closer than 17,150 miles (27,650 kilometers) above Earth's surface during its flyby on Feb 15, 2013.

The asteroid’s orbit around the sun is roughly similar to that of Earth, and it makes relatively close approaches to our planet’s orbit twice per orbit. But, the 2013 flyby is by far the closest the asteroid will approach our planet for many decades. The next notable close approach to Earth will be on February 15, 2046, when the asteroid will pass no closer than 620,000 miles (1,000,000 kilometers) from the center-point of Earth.

While this is the closest possible distance based on observations and calculations as of February 4, 2013, future observations will refine the calculation and may increase the minimum distance of the flyby. As of Feb 9, 2013, the minimum distance is now 1.6 million km or 995,000 miles from the center of Earth. For the most current calculations for this asteroid, visit: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2012%20DA14;orb=1;cov=0;log=0;cad=1;rad=0#cad

Q: What makes 2012 DA14 special?

 A: The flyby of asteroid 2012 DA14 is the closest ever predicted Earth approach for an object this large.

Q: How long will asteroid 2012 DA14 be within the Earth/moon system?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14's will be within the Earth/moon system for about 33 hours. Its orbit will bring it within the Earth/moon system (approach within one lunar distance, 237,000 miles of the Earth) on Feb. 15 at about 0300 UTC (7 p.m. PST on Thursday, Feb. 14). The asteroid will exit the Earth/moon system on Feb. 16 at about 1200 UTC (4 a.m. PST).

Q: Is there a chance that asteroid 2012 DA14 could be eclipsed by Earth?

 A: Because of its trajectory, there is no chance that asteroid 2012 DA14 will pass through Earth’s shadow.

Q: How big is asteroid 2012 DA14?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14 is currently estimated to be about 150 feet (45 meters) across and has an estimated mass of about 130,000 metric tons. If radar observations of this asteroid are successful, we might have a more accurate estimate of the asteroid’s size after its close approach.

Q: How fast will the asteroid be traveling at closest approach?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA 14 is traveling at about 17,450 miles per hour (28,100 kilometers per hour), or 4.8 miles per second (7.82 kilometers per second) relative to Earth.

Q: Who discovered asteroid DA14?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14 was discovered by the La Sagra Sky Survey operated by the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca in Spain on Feb. 23, 2012. The asteroid was about 2.7 million miles (4.3 million kilometers) distant when it was detected. Their observations were reported to the NASA funded Minor Planet Center, operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for the International Astronomical Union, where all observations from observatories worldwide are combined to maintain the database on all known asteroids and comets in our solar system.

Q: How many asteroids are out there similar in size to asteroid DA14?

 A: Scientists believe there are approximately 500,000 near-Earth asteroids the size of 2012 DA14. Of those, less than one percent have been discovered.

Q: How many times do asteroids the size of DA14 fly this close?

 A: Scientists at NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office in Pasadena, Calif. estimate that an asteroid the size of 2012 DA14 flies this close every 40 years on average and that one will impact Earth, on average, about once in every 1,200 years.

Q: Is there a chance that asteroid DA14 will collide with one or more satellites?

 A: There is very little chance that asteroid 2012 DA14 will impact a satellite or spacecraft. Because the asteroid is approaching from below Earth, it will pass between the outer constellation of satellites located in geosynchronous orbit (22,245 miles/35,800 kilometers) and the large concentration of satellites orbiting much closer to Earth. (The International Space Station, for example, orbits at the close-in altitude of 240 miles/386 kilometers.). There are almost no satellites orbiting at the distance at which the asteroid will pass.

Q: What will asteroid DA14’s close pass do to Earth’s rotation/tides/fault lines/etc.

 A: The gravitational influence upon Earth and its inhabitants by the flyby of asteroid 2012 DA14 will be infinitesimally small.

Q: What would happen if DA14 were to impact Earth?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14 will not impact Earth, but if another asteroid of a size similar to that of 2012 DA14 (about 150 feet across) were to impact Earth, it would release approximately 2.5 megatons of energy in the atmosphere and would be expected to cause regional devastation.

A comparison to the impact potential of an asteroid the size of 2012 DA14 could be made to the impact of a near-Earth object that occurred in 1908 in Tuguska, Siberia. Known in the asteroid community as the "Tunguska Event," this impact of an asteroid just slightly smaller than 2012 DA14 (approximately 100 – 130 feet/30-40 meters across) is believed to have flattened about 825 square miles (2200 square kilometers) of forest in and around the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in what is now Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia.

Q: Can I see the asteroid during its close approach?

 A: Asteroid 2012 DA14 is small, so even though it will make a close flyby of Earth, the asteroid's apparent magnitude is expected to peak at about only 7.4 – too dim to be viewed by the naked eye. To view the asteroid, you will need a good pair of binoculars, or even better, a moderately powered telescope.

During the closest approach, and dependant on local weather, the asteroid will be visible from parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. The asteroid will appear to be moving relatively quickly as it crosses the sky from the south to the north.

Q: What is NASA doing about asteroid 2012 DA14?

 A: As there is no chance of impact, there is nothing that needs to be done about the asteroid. However, the flyby of 2012 DA14 is a great opportunity for science. NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar, located in California's Mojave Desert, will observe the asteroid on Feb. 16, 18, 19 and 20. Due to the asteroid's small size, the radar images generated are expected to be no more than a few pixels across. It will also be observed by numerous optical observatories worldwide to attempt to determine its spin rate and composition.

Venus Transit of the Sun, June 5-6, 2012

source of above animation: http://hemel.waarnemen.com/venus/venusovergang_2012.html

WARNING: NEVER look at the Sun without proper protection! A good protection is an eclipse glasses, or a special solar filter. Looking through a stain glass or black film is harmful , because it leaves the invisible, harmful ultraviolet radiation. This you can not see and feel, but you notice later, when you no longer see.

VENUS TRANSFORMED: Something special is happening to Venus in the evening sky. The second planet is diving toward the sun for a much-anticipated transit on June 5-6. As Venus turns its night side toward Earth, the planet is transforming into a beautifully slender and colorful crescent:

John Chumack of Dayton, Ohio, took the picture on May 14th using a 10-inch telescope. "I was blown away by the sight of Venus," he says. "The planet was 14% illuminated, 47 arcseconds in diameter, and blazing at -4.43 magnitude."

The crescent shape of Venus is easy to see in good binoculars or small telescopes. No special observing experience is required. Just find Venus in the western sky after sunset (you can't miss it), point and look. A good tripod to hold the optics steady is recommended.

As the evening wears on and Venus sinks toward the horizon, the refractive effect of Earth's atmosphere splits the crescent into the colors of the rainbow. Kevin R. Witman of Cochranville, Pennsylvania, observed the phenomenon on May 11th: "Earth's atmospheric refraction of Venus's ample light made a beautiful imagethrough my 10-inch telescope."

more images: from Sadegh Ghomizadeh of Tehran, Iran;

Source: http://www.spaceweather.com

The Venus Transit of June 6, 2012

Introduction

On Wednesday, June 6, 2012 finds a transit of Venus on the Sun site. Venus then moves between the Sun and the Earth, so much so that the contours of the planet can be seen against the bright surface of the Sun. This is a fairly rare event, this example is only the twenty-sixth venus transition since the beginning of our era. Unfortunately, this transition occurs to us, especially at night, so we in Belgium and the Netherlands early in the morning only the last part of the transition can be seen.

Venus moves about once every 584 days between the Earth and the Sun by. This is called a lower conjunction . Venus is usually at a lower conjunction, however, not seen on the solar disk.This is because the orbital plane which Venus orbits the Sun at an angle to the ecliptic , so the plane in which the Earth orbits the Sun. Venus rotates in nearly 225 days once around the Sun (a venus year) and is one half of that time above the ecliptic, the other half below it. Twice a year, Venus is Venus crosses the ecliptic from north to south or from south to north movement.We then say that Venus is in the declining or ascending node of its orbit is. Only when the lower conjunction of Venus takes place in (or very close to) one of the nodes, we see on Earth Venus transition. In all other cases, Venus seen from Earth moves above or below the Sun along. This is similar to the reason why not every full moon a lunar eclipse poses .

At this time (between the years 1518 and 2984) are venus transitions in pairs, between which the two transitions in a pair is about 8 years. Note that in eight years, five benedenconjuncties made, because 8 × 365 days is equal to 5 × 584 days. The transition of 2012 is the second of a pair, the previous changeover took place on June 8, 2004 and was completely visible in our regions. The last couple of transitions was in 1874 and 1882, both in December. At this moment, Venus in the descending node in June and the ascending node in december. Two transitions of a pair are always at the same node, the 2004 and 2012 are thus in the descending nodes (see the downward movement of Venus across the solar disk in the figures and animations on this page), and so in June, the transitions from 1874 and 1882 were in the ascending node.

The Venus Transit of 2012

On June 6, 2012 Venus moves as said on the solar disk, and only the end of this transition is, in clear weather, visible from the Netherlands and Belgium. The whole event takes place between 0:03 am and 6:55 am and lasts nearly seven hours. Below are the exact time for transition tips as well as to find images that the path of Venus across the Sun show. The images chosen for two different coordinate systems: ecliptic coordinates, the plane of the solar system as axis and thus the most logical choice for events in the solar system, and horizontal (azimuthal) coordinates, the position above the horizon display, and so very well suited for an observer at a particular place on Earth. The exact figures are for Utrecht. Times for other places in the Netherlands and Belgium to deviate up to 15 seconds on this. The times are rounded to the whole second, because the unpredictable fluctuations in the rotational speed of the Earth is a Contributing uncertainty (The difference dT between Terrestial Time and Universal Time (UT) . This dT can only be establish in retrospect, I use here the estimate 66.6s).

For the beginning and the end of the transition time, two dots indicated. These are time match which the outer edge of the Sun by Venus are 'touched' and so the first or last bite from the Sun is taken, and when the inner edge of the Sun is touched and thus the beginning or end of the period covered Venus is completely visible to the Sun. The maximum occurs when the distance between the center of Venus and the center of the Sun is minimal. (See Figure 1a and 2a, and Table 1).

Data of the transition

Figure 1a: the beginning, maximum and end of the transition in ecliptic coordinates	Figure 1b: the position of Venus on the hour in ecliptic coordinates
Click image for larger version
Figure 2a: the beginning, maximum and end of the transition in horizontal coordinates	Figure 2b: the position of Venus on the hour in horizontal coordinates

---

Phenomenon	Time	Azimut	Height	Distance center	Distance edge
1: early entry	0:03:55	337.8 °	-12.5 °	16'14 .8 "	+00'29 .1 "
2: end entry	0:21:43	341.9 °	-13.4 °	15'16 .5 "	-00'29 .1 "
3: Maximum	3:29:56	26.2 °	-11.3 °	08'53 .1 "	-06'52 .6 "
4: early exit	6:37:20	64.3 °	8.9 °	15'16 .5 "	-00'29 .1 "
5: end exit	6:54:59	67.6 °	11.4 °	16'14 .8 "	+00'29 .1 "
Table 1: Data for entry, exit and maximum

Table 1 shows the main data show. For each of the five symptoms, the time indicated in hours, minutes and seconds Central European summer time ( CEST ). Then the azimuth indicated, the place where the two above / below the horizon, in degrees, 0 ° = 360 ° = North, 90 ° east and 180 ° is south. Then, the height of the two degrees above the horizon, the distance between the center of Venus and the center of the Sun, and the distance from the center of Venus to the edge of the Sun. A negative edge distance means that the center of Venus in front of the solar disk.

Other data for the maximum of the transition are:

Diameter of the Sun:	31'31 .3 "
Diameter of Venus:	58.3 "
Distance to the Sun:	1.01475 AE
Distance to Venus:	0.28871 AE

The Sun rises in the morning at 5:21 hours on, at an azimuth of 50 ° (in the northeast), later followed by Venus.

source: http://hemel.waarnemen.com/venus/venusovergang_2012.html

2012 TRANSITS OF VENUS

Geographic Visibility of 2012 June 06

The global visibility of the 2012 transit is illustrated with the world map in Figure 3 (Low Res or High Res). The entire transit (all four contacts) is visible from northwestern North America, Hawaii, the western Pacific, northern Asia, Japan, Korea, eastern China, Philippines, eastern Australia, and New Zealand. The Sun sets while the transit is still in progress from most of North America, the Caribbean, and northwest South America. Similarly, the transit is already in progress at sunrise for observers in central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and eastern Africa,. No portion of the transit will be visible from Portugal or southern Spain, western Africa, and the southeastern 2/3 of South America.

Note that due to the International Date Line the Western Hemisphere will see the transit on June 5.

The horizontal parallax of Venus (~30 arc-sec) introduces a topocentric correction of up to ±7 minutes with respect to the geocentric contact times for observers at different geographic locations. Topocentric contact times (Universal Time) and corresponding altitudes of the Sun are presented for over one hundred cities in Table 2A (international) and Table 2B (USA).

---

Frequency of Transits

Transits of Venus are only possible during early December and early June when Venus's orbital nodes pass across the Sun. If Venus reaches inferior conjunction at this time, a transit will occur. Transits show a clear pattern of recurrence at intervals of 8, 121.5, 8 and 105.5 years. The next pair of Venus transits occur over a century from now on 2117 Dec 11 and 2125 Dec 08.

Edmund Halley first realized that transits of Venus could be used to measure the Sun's distance, thereby establishing the absolute scale of the solar system from Kepler's third law. Unfortunately, his method proved impractical since contact timings of the desired accuracy are impossible due to the effects of atmospheric seeing and diffraction. Nevertheless, the 1761 and 1769 expeditions to observe the transits of Venus gave astronomers their first good value for the Sun's distance.

The planet Mercury can also transit the Sun. Since Mercury orbits the Sun more quickly than does Venus, it undergoes transits much more frequently. There are about 13 or 14 transits of Mercury each century. All Mercury transits fall within several days of 8 May and 10 November. During November transits, Mercury is near perihelion and exhibits a disk only 10 arc-seconds in diameter. By comparison, the planet is near aphelion during May transits and appears 12 arc-seconds across. However, the probability of a May transit is smaller by a factor of almost two. Mercury's slower orbital motion at aphelion makes it less likely to cross the node during the critical period. November transits recur at intervals of 7, 13, or 33 years while May transits recur only over the latter two intervals. The next two transits of Mercury are on 2003 May 07 and 2006 Nov 08. For details on the first event, see:

source: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/transit/venus0412.html

Solar Update 8-6-2011: MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM IS CALMING DOWN...FOR THE MOMENT.

UPDATE 8-6-2011
THINGS ARE CALMING DOWN.

SUBSIDING STORM: Earth's magnetic field is still reverberating from a CME strike on August 5th that sparked one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in years. Registering 8 on the 0 to 9 "K-index" scale of magnetic disturbances, the storm at maximum sparked auroras across Europe and in many northern-tier US states. Travis Novitsky sends this picture from Grand Portage, Minnesota:

"For an hour and a half the sky was filled with dancing lights, some of the best I've ever seen in Northern Minnesota!" says Novitsky.

The storm is subsiding now, but it could flare up again as gusty solar wind continues to buffet Earth's magnetic field. High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras.

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts Updated at: 2011 Aug 06 2200 UTC FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr CLASS M 45 % 45 % CLASS X 10 % 10 % Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels:active, minor storm, severe stormUpdated at: 2011 Aug 06 2200 UTCMid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 25 % 10 % MINOR 15 % 05 % SEVERE 05 % 01 % High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 25 % 15 % MINOR 20 % 05 % SEVERE 15 % 01 %

WWW.SPACEWEATHER.COM

Satellite Environment Plot

Proton Flux from GOES-13, Electron Flux and GOES Hp from GOES-13 & GOES-15

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html#satenv

*************end update***************
UPDATE 8-5-2011 7:00PM MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME.

Solar wind
speed: 596.6 km/sec
density: 7.6 protons/cm³explanation | more dataUpdated: Today at 0039 UT
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1945 UT Aug05 
24-hr: C2 1246 UT Aug05 
explanation | more dataUpdated: Today at: 2359 UT

GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN PROGRESS: A major geomagnetic storm is in progress following the impact of a CME on August 5th around 1800 UT. Sky watchers at all latitudes should be alert for auroras after nightfall. Tip: the best hours for aurora sightings are usually around local midnight. Aurora alerts: text, voice.
Reports of Northern Lights are coming in from many European countries includingGermany, Denmark, Scotland and the Netherlands.
Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab say that the CME impact may have strongly compressed Earth's magnetic field, directly exposing satellites in geosynchronous orbit to solar wind plasma. Stay tuned for updates on this aspect of the storm.
The arriving CME left the sun on August 4th, propelled by an M9.3-category eruption in the magnetic canopy of sunspot 1261. Click on the image to view a movie of the expanding cloud recorded by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory:

Note: The many speckles in this movie are caused by energetic solar protons hitting the camera.

Planetary K-index Now: Kp= 7 strong 24-hr max: Kp= 8 severeexplanation | more data Interplanetary Mag. Field Btotal: 12.3 nT Bz: 3.7 nT south explanation | more dataUpdated: Today at 0044 UT Coronal Holes: 05 Aug 11 A minor solar wind stream flowing from the indicated coronal hole should reach Earth on Aug. 8-9. Credit: SDO/AIA. SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts Updated at: 2011 Aug 05 2200 UTC FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr CLASS M 40 % 40 % CLASS X 10 % 10 % Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels:active, minor storm, severe storm Updated at: 2011 Aug 05 2200 UTC Mid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 20 % 25 % MINOR 40 % 15 % SEVERE 35 % 05 % High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 20 % 25 % MINOR 35 % 20 % SEVERE 40 % 15 %

http://spaceweather.com/

Satellite Environment Plot

Proton Flux from GOES-13, Electron Flux and GOES Hp from GOES-13 & GOES-15

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html#satenv

Solar X-ray Flux

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html#xray

Third Flare in Three Days

An M9.3 flare (fairly strong-sized) along with a coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted out from the Sun and headed in the general direction of Earth (Aug. 4, 2011). This was the third flare in three days from Active Region 1261. The still shows the characteristic spreading of light caused by the brightness of the flare as observed in extreme ultraviolet light. But, the CME can be seen distinctly as a darker cloud lifting off and rising up and out into space, something we usually do not get to see so clearly. The movie covers about four hours of activity. It is predicted that the particle cloud will impact Earth in a few days, when it will likely generate bright auroras as far south as Pennsylvania and could possibly upset electronic equipment, especially in space. The power of the storm is ranked as K-7 on a 1-9 scale. You can also watch the event in another wavelength (AIA304 in reddish-orange) of extreme UV light in which the CME appears more clearly, but the flare is not as obvious.

http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/potw.php?v=item&id=62

EARTH-DIRECTED SOLAR STORM (AUGUST 5, 2011)

Hi-res TIF image (908K)

Movies

Quicktime: Large (1.6M). MPEG: MP4 (1.6M), M4V (827K)

An M9.3 flare (fairly strong-sized) along with a coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted out from the Sun and headed in the general direction of Earth (Aug. 4, 2011). This was the third flare in three days from Active Region 1261. The CME, seen in the 304 wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light from Solar Dynamics Observatory, can be seen distinctly as a darker cloud lifting off and rising up and out into space, something we usually do not get to see so clearly. The movie covers about eight hours of activity. The Sun itself is superimposed on SOHO C2 coronagraph. The snowstorm effect is caused by high-energy particles from the flare striking SOHO?s imager. The lop-sided but fast-moving cloud of particles headed off in the general direction of and may generate some aurora activity when it arrives.

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/pickoftheweek/

*********end update************


UPDATE: 8-5-2011
The solar wind speed has gone up very quickly and very high already and the storm has just begun.  

Solar wind speed: 630.3 km/sec density: 5.3 protons/cm3explanation | more dataUpdated: Today at 2054 UT X-ray Solar Flares 6-hr max: C1 1747 UT Aug05  24-hr: C2 1246 UT Aug05  explanation | more dataUpdated: Today at: 2100 UT

CME IMPACT--NOW: NASA's ACE spacecraft, which measures the speed of the solar wind just upstream of Earth, indicates that a CME impact on our planet is in progress. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras in the hours ahead.Aurora alerts: text, voice.

UPDATE: Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab report a strong compression of Earth's magnetosphere in response to the CME impact. "Simulations indicate that the magnetopause separating magnetospheric and solar wind plasma is close to the geosynchronous orbit starting at about 19:20 UT on August 5th. Spacecraft [in these] orbits may be directly exposed to solar wind plasma and magnetic field."

NIGHT-TIME SOLAR RADIO BURST: The M9-class solar flare of August 4th produced a burst of shortwave static so powerful that receivers on Earth picked it upafter sunset. "A RadioJove observer in Florida recorded the burst when the sun was 38 degrees below the horizon," reports amateur radio astronomer Thomas Ashcraft. Ashcraft's own radio telescope in New Mexico recorded the event 1 hour and 54 minutes after sunset:

"To my knowledge, receptions like this are very rare," says Ashcraft.
Indeed they are. This event brings to mind the iconic night-time solar radio burst of March 8, 1958. Five radio telescopes at the University of Florida picked up emissions from the sun while observing the planet Jupiter in tthe middle of the night. On the other side of the world, radio astronomers in daylit Australia confirmed that a powerful solar radio burst had taken place at that exact time. The event is described in a 1959 Nature paper by pioneering radio astronomers Alex Smith and Tom Carr. They considered the possibility that solar radio waves might have been reflected by the Moon or carried to the night side of Earth by ionospheric ducting. In tthe end, they could not conclusively explain what happened and to this day night-time solar radio bursts remain a puzzle.

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts

Updated at: 2011 Aug 04 2200 UTC

FLARE	0-24 hr	24-48 hr
CLASS M	75 %	75 %
CLASS X	15 %	15 %

Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels:active, minor storm, severe stormUpdated at: 2011 Aug 04 2200 UTCMid-latitudes

	0-24 hr	24-48 hr
ACTIVE	15 %	30 %
MINOR	35 %	30 %
SEVERE	50 %	20 %

High latitudes

	0-24 hr	24-48 hr
ACTIVE	15 %	30 %
MINOR	30 %	30 %
SEVERE	55 %	30 %

*************************END OF UPDATE*************************************
UPDATE 8-4-2011 7:30PM
ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO: As predicted by analysts at the GSFC Space Weather Lab, the first of three CMEs produced by the recent spate of flare activity reached Earth during the late hours of August 4th. The impact was weak and is not expected to produce strong geomagnetic storms. Two more CMEs are still on the way and, as described below, they may have merged into a single cloud that could produce significant storming when they reach Earth on August 5th around 10:00 UT. A new model of all 3 CMEs is now available; stay tuned for updates. http://spaceweather.com/

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts Updated at: 2011 Aug 04 2200 UTC FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr CLASS M 75 % 75 % CLASS X 15 % 15 % Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels:active, minor storm, severe storm Updated at: 2011 Aug 04 2200 UTC Mid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 15 % 30 % MINOR 35 % 30 % SEVERE 50 % 20 % High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 15 % 30 % MINOR 30 % 30 % SEVERE 55 % 30 %

http://spaceweather.com/

:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt
:Issued: 2011 Aug 05 0005 UTC

# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Please send comments and suggestions to SWPC.Webmaster@noaa.gov
# 3-hourly messages issued this UT day.
#
#                    Geophysical Alert Message
#
#-----------------------------------------------------------------

Solar-terrestrial indices for 04 August follow.
Solar flux 116 and mid-latitude A-index 4.
The mid-latitude K-index at 0000 UTC on 05 August was 3 (27 nT).

Space weather for the past 24 hours has been moderate.
Solar radiation storms reaching the S1 level occurred.
Radio blackouts reaching the R2 level occurred.

Space weather for the next 24 hours is predicted to be strong.
Geomagnetic storms reaching the G3 level are likely.
Solar radiation storms reaching the S2 level are expected.
Radio blackouts reaching the R1 level are expected.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/forecasts/wwv/0805wwv.txt

*************end update*********************
UPDATE 8-4-2011

STRONG SOLAR ACTIVITY: For the third day in a row, active sunspot 1261 has unleashed a significant M-class solar flare. The latest blast at 0357 UT on August 4th registered M9.3 on the Richter Scale of Flares, almost crossing the threshold into X-territory (X-flares are the most powerful kind).  

The number of energetic protons around Earth has jumped nearly 100-fold as a result of this event. 

The eruption propelled a bright coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. Click on the image to view a movie of the expanding cloud recorded by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory:

Note: The many speckles in this movie are caused by energetic solar protons hitting the camera.

Moving at an estimated speed of 1950 km/s, this CME is expected to sweep up two earlier CMEs already en route. Analysts at the GSFC Space Weather Lab say  
...the combined cloud should reach Earth on August 5th at 13:55 UT plus or minus 7 hours: "The impact on Earth is likely to be major. The estimated maximum geomagnetic activity index level Kp is 7 (Kp ranges from 0 - 9). The flanks of the CME may also impact STEREO A, Mars and Mercury/MESSENGER." High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.
http://www.spaceweather.com/%20

NOTICE... the geomagnetic storm(s) are not just affecting the high latitudes this time.

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts Updated at: 2011 Aug 03 2200 UTC FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr CLASS M 65 % 65 % CLASS X 10 % 10 % Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels: active, minor storm, severe storm Updated at: 2011 Aug 03 2200 UTC Mid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 05 % 40 % MINOR 01 % 10 % SEVERE 01 % 05 % High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 05 % 40 % MINOR 01 % 15 % SEVERE 01 % 05 %

http://www.spaceweather.com/ 

What are some of the effects of solar flares on Earth?

I already know that solar flares cause the earth's atmosphere to become more ionized and has an effect on radio signals which causes a disruption in wireless communication. Is there any additional information you can give me on this idea and the effect of solar flares?

There are many effects of solar flares (and related solar processes) on Earth. I suggest you go check this site which lists the effects of the Sun on the Earth, including solar flares. 

The direct effects of solar flares are mainly related to communications and radio transmissions, which you already seem to know about. Solar flares are often associated with coronal mass ejections, the ejections of electrons, protons and ions from the Sun. These charged particles have some other effects on Earth. The Earth has a natural protection against these charged particles: its magnetic field and atmosphere that blocks most of them. However, some charged particles can enter the atmosphere at the poles. 

One of the most spectacular (and extremely beautiful) consequence of this are auroras. When charged particles (especially electrons) find their way at the poles, they get accelerated along the lines of the magnetic field and collide with the particles in the atmosphere which makes them glow. That glow is what we see as an aurora. 

There are also health issues for ailine pilots and astronauts. For those of us that spend most of our time on the ground, the magnetic field and the atmosphere block out almost all of the harmful radiation and charged particles. This is not the case when you go up in the atmosphere. Airline pilots that fly at great altitude, and especially near the poles, are exposed to more of these. The same goes for astronauts. This results in a higher incidence of cancer among airline pilots and cabin crew. Astronauts have even reported seeing flashes of light because of high energy protons hitting their eyes! 

http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=308

SOLAR PROTON EVENT:

Solar protons normally have insufficient energy to penetrate through the Earth's magnetic field. However, during unusually strong solar flare events, protons can be produced with sufficient energies to penetrate deeper into the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. Regions where deeper penetration can occur includes the north pole, south pole, and South Atlantic magnetic anomaly.

Protons are charged particles and are therefore influenced by magnetic fields. When the energetic protons leave the Sun, they preferentially follow (or are guided by) the Sun's powerful magnetic field. When solar protons enter the domain of the Earth's magnetosphere where the magnetic fields become stronger than the solar magnetic fields, they are guided by the Earth's magnetic field into the polar regions where the majority of the Earth's magnetic field lines enter and exit.

 

Energetic protons that are guided into the polar regions collide with atmospheric constituents and release their energy through the process of ionization. The majority of the energy is extinguished in the extreme lower region of the ionosphere (around 50-80 km in altitude). This area is particularly important to ionospheric radio communications because this is the area where most of the absorption of radio signal energy occurs. The enhanced ionization produced by incoming energetic protons increases the absorption levels in the lower ionosphere and can have the effect of completely blocking all ionospheric radio communications through the polar regions. Such events are known as Polar Cap Absorption events (or PCAs). These events commence and last as long as the energy of incoming protons at approximately greater than 10 MeV (million electron volts) exceeds roughly 10 pfu (pfu = proton flux units = ^particles⁄_sr·cm²·s) at geosynchronous satellite altitudes.

The more severe proton events can be associated with geomagnetic storms that can cause widespread disruption to electrical grids. However, proton events themselves are not responsible for producing anomalies in power grids, nor are they responsible for producing geomagnetic storms. Power grids are only sensitive to fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field.

Extremely intense solar proton flares capable of producing energetic protons with energies in excess of 100 MeV can increase neutron count rates at ground levels through secondary radiation effects. These rare events are known as Ground Level Events (or GLE's).

There is no substantive scientific evidence to suggest that energetic proton events are harmful to human health at ground levels, particularly at latitudes where most of the Earth's population resides. The Earth's magnetic field is exceptionally good at preventing the radiative effects of energetic particles from reaching ground levels. High altitude commercial transpolar aircraft flights have measured increases in radiation during energetic proton events, but a warning system is in place that limits these effects by alerting pilots to lower their cruising altitudes. Aircraft flights away from the polar regions are far less likely to see an impact from solar proton events.

Significant proton radiation exposure can be experienced by astronauts who are outside of the protective shield of the Earth's magnetosphere, such as an astronaut in-transit to, or located on the Moon. However, the effects can be minimized if astronauts are in a low-Earth orbit and remain confined to the most heavily shielded regions of their spacecraft. Proton radiation levels in low earth orbit increase with orbital inclination. Therefore, the closer a spacecraft approaches the polar regions, the greater the exposure to energetic proton radiation will be.

Astronauts have reported seeing flashes or streaks of light as energetic protons interact with their optic tissues. Similar flashes and streaks of light occur when energetic protons strike the sensitive optical electronics in spacecraft (such as star trackers and other cameras). The effect can be so pronounced that during extreme events, it is not possible to obtain quality images of the Sun or stars. This can cause spacecraft to lose their orientation, which is critical if ground controllers are to maintain control.

Energetic proton storms can also electrically charge spacecraft to levels that can damage electronic components. They can also cause electronic components to behave erratically. For example, solid state memory on spacecraft can be altered, which may cause data or software contamination and result in unexpected (phantom) spacecraft commands being executed. Energetic proton storms also destroy the efficiency of the solar panels that are designed to collect and convert sunlight to electricity. During years of exposure to energetic proton activity from the Sun, spacecraft can lose a substantial amount of electrical power that may require important instruments to be turned off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_proton_event 

EXPLAINING THE Kp DATA MENTIONED BY SPACE WEATHER.COM:

A particularly useful predictor of the aurora that scientists use is the Kp index, also called the planetary-K index, which is compiled from magnetometer measurements at 13 stations that have records going back to 1949. Every 3-hour period of each day is assigned a Kp activity level between 0 and 9, somewhat similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes or the Beaufort scale for wind and storms. A Kp level of 0 means exceptionally quiet, whereas more disturbed times are described as:


    Kp = 4:    Calm Conditions
    Kp = 5:    Minor storm conditions
    Kp = 6:    Moderate storm conditions
    Kp = 7:    Strong storm conditions
    Kp = 8:    Severe storm conditions
    Kp = 9:    Extreme storm conditions


Kp levels of 0 to 4 are common; above 5 the Kp levels become increasingly rare, such that storms registering a Kp of 9 may only be observed a couple of times a year, or not at all during quiet periods of the solar cycle.

http://sunearthplan.net/4/780/Seeing-the-northern-lights-from-Britain

Solar Flare Sparks Biggest Eruption Ever Seen on Sun

Enormous ejection of particles into space shocks scientists.

A solar flare created a spectacular eruption on June 7 (pictured).

Image courtesy SDO/NASA

Dave Mosher

for National Geographic News

Published June 8, 2011

A mushroom of cooled plasma popped like a pimple and rained onto the surface of the sun yesterday—shooting perhaps the largest amount of solar material into space ever seen, scientists say.

The solar flare—an unusually bright spot on the sun—wasn't surprising as a "moderate" event. Space observatories in the past year recorded about 70 such solar flares, each roughly ten times weaker than "extreme" flares, of which only two have occurred since 2007.

Instead, what shocked scientists was the unusual amount of material that lofted up, expanded, and fell back down over roughly half the surface area of the sun. The event's simultaneous launch of particles into space is called a coronal mass ejection (CME).

"This totally caught us by surprise. There wasn't much going on with this spot, but as it came from behind the sun, all of the sudden there was a flare and huge ejection of particles," said astrophysicist Phillip Chamberlin of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), one of several spacecraft that recorded the event.

"We've never seen a CME this enormous."

Solar Flares May Threaten Power Grids

Chamberlin said it will take some time to calculate the energy and mass of electrons and protons blasted into space. But he noted the volume occupied a space hundreds of times bigger than a single Earth.

The ejection of particles burst from the right limb of the sun and sprayed into space, so the blast will miss Earth—though the explosion may brighten auroras near Earth's poles, Chamberlin said.

(See pictures of auroras generated by the Valentine's Day solar flare.)

But he warned space-weather experts are concerned about future solar events.

The sun's 11-year cycle of activity, driven by tangled surface magnetic fields, will hit its maximum in late 2013 or early 2014. Magnetic messiness will peak around that time and prompt nasty solar storms.

"We'll probably see [extreme] flares every couple of months instead of years," Chamberlin said.

If one of these powerful flares—and its coronal mass ejection—faces Earth, the particles will pound satellite components with charged particles, short some out, and potentially cripple them.

 

On the planet's surface, extra currents of solar particles drive extra electric current through power lines and heat them up. A solar storm in 1859, for example, caused telegraph lines to burst into flames. Power companies distribute loads to avoid such a disaster, but energetic solar storms could still blow transformers and lead to power outages, especially during heat waves like the one sweeping the eastern U.S. this week.

"Despite great countermeasures, the power grid is still vulnerable. We could be in for some serious problems," Chamberlin said.

For more on solar flares, sunspots, and solar wind, read "The Sun—Living With a Stormy Star," from National Geographic magazine >>

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110608-solar-flare-sun-science-space/ 

***********************end update*********************************
Update: 8-3-2011

INCOMING CLOUD: Yesterday's M1-class eruption from sunspot 1261 was observed by three spacecraft: SOHO, STEREO-A and STEREO-B. Using data from those three points of view, analysts at the GSFC Space Weather Lab have made a 3-dimensional model of the CME now en route to Earth. Click on the image to launch a computer-generated movie of the expanding cloud:

According to their work, the CME left the sun traveling 900 km/s and should reach Earth (denoted by a yellow dot in the simulation) on August 5th at 0300 UT plus or minus 7 hours. Another cloud produced by today's M-flare may be right behind it; stay tuned for movies of that one, too. Mild to moderate geomagnetic storms are possible when these CMEs arrive on August 5th and 6th.
http://spaceweather.com/

**********END UPDATE******************
SOLAR ALERT 8-2-2011

EARTH-DIRECTED BLAST: Magnetic fields above sunspot 1261 erupted this morning at 0648 UT, producing a long-duration M1-class solar flare. At the peak of the action, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a surge of extreme ultraviolet radiation around the sunspot:

The blast also hurled a bright coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. This movie from NASA's STEREO-Ahead spacecraft shows the cloud racing away from the sun at almost 900 km/s. Geomagnetic storms are possible when the CME arrives on or about August 5th.

MAGNIFICENT SUNSPOT: Double sunspot 1263 is a whopper. Its two dark cores are each wider than Earth, and the entire region stretches more than 65,000 km from end to end. Yesterday in the Netherlands, Emil Kraaikamp took advantage of a break in the clouds and "a few moments of steady air" to capture this magnificent photo:

"To image this monster, I used a 10-inch Newtonian telescope capped by a white light solar filter," says Kraaikamp. He used the same setup to photograph nearby sunspot 1261. The clarity of both images is impressive. Note the granulation of the stellar surface surrounding the main dark cores. Those are Texas-sized bubbles of plasma rising and falling like water boiling on top of a hot stove.

The magnetic field of sunspot 1263 harbors energy for powerful X-class solar flares. Because the sunspot is turning to face Earth, any such eruptions in the days ahead would likely be geo-effective. 

http://spaceweather.com/

Solar Terrestrial Activity Report


Last major update issued on August 2, 2011 at 05:50 UTC. Minor update posted at 07:45 UTC.
http://www.solen.info/solar/

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts Updated at: 2011 Aug 01 2200 UTC FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr CLASS M 60 % 60 % CLASS X 10 % 10 % Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels:active, minor storm, severe storm Updated at: 2011 Aug 01 2200 UTC Mid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 05 % 05 % MINOR 05 % 01 % SEVERE 01 % 01 % High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 15 % 05 % MINOR 05 % 01 % SEVERE 01 % 01 %

*************************end update************************************************
UPDATE 7-30-2011*******************





GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. A polar geomagnetic storm (magnitude Kp=5) is underway in response to solar wind buffeting Earth's magnetic field.



STRONG FLARE: Sunspot AR1261 unleashed a brief but strong M9-class solar flare on July 30th at 0209 UT. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the flare's extreme ultraviolet flash:

Because of its brevity, the eruption did not hurl a substantial cloud of material toward Earth. No CME is visible in SOHO coronagraphs. The eruption was not geoeffective, although future eruptions could be as the active region continues to turn toward Earth.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the flare's extreme ultraviolet flash:

SHAPE-SHIFTING SUNSPOT: Three big sunspot groups are rotating across the Earth-facing side of the sun. One of them, AR1261, is morphing into a circular ring. Click on the image to view a 24-hour movie:

The magnetic field of this shape-shifting sunspot is crackling with C- and M-classsolar flares, including a powerful M9-blast to begin the day on July 30th. NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% chance of more such flares during the next 24 hours. Readers with solar telescopes are encouraged to monitor developments.

WWW.SPACEWEATHER.COM

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html#xray

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts Updated at: 2011 Jul 29 2200 UTC FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr CLASS M 40 % 40 % CLASS X 05 % 05 % Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels: active, minor storm, severe storm Updated at: 2011 Jul 29 2200 UTC Mid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 05 % 35 % MINOR 01 % 15 % SEVERE 01 % 05 % High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 05 % 40 % MINOR 01 % 20 % SEVERE 01 % 10 %

http://www.spaceweather.com/

*************end update****************
UPDATE: 7-29-2011

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts

Updated at: 2011 Jul 28 2200 UTC

FLARE	0-24 hr	24-48 hr
CLASS M	40 %	40 %
CLASS X	05 %	05 %

Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels:active, minor storm, severe storm
Updated at: 2011 Jul 28 2200 UTC
Mid-latitudes

	0-24 hr	24-48 hr
ACTIVE	05 %	05 %
MINOR	01 %	01 %
SEVERE	01 %	01 %

High latitudes

	0-24 hr	24-48 hr
ACTIVE	05 %	05 %
MINOR	01 %	01 %
SEVERE	01 %	01 %

CHANCE OF FLARES: Sunspot 1260 has developed a delta-class magnetic field that harbors energy for powerful X-class solar flares. Such an eruption today would be Earth-directed as the sunspot turns to face our planet. (continued below)

Note: In yesterday's news item, sunspot 1263 was mislabeled 1262.

Sunspot 1260 is leading a parade of big sunspots across the solar disk--one of the finest displays of solar activity in years. Even the smallest dark cores in these sunspot groups are as wide as planets, and they are crackling with C-class flares. Readers with solar telescopes are encouraged to monitor developments.

http://spaceweather.com/

http://www.solen.info/solar/

GOES 15 X-Ray Events 1-8A
Cur	29/1739	B6.8	Ratio 0.010
Beg	29/1634	B7.3
Max	29/1640	C6.3	Int 2.9e-03 J m-2
End	29/1646	C3.3

The GOES X-ray flux plot contains 1 minute averages of solar X-rays in the 1-8 Angstrom (0.1-0.8 nm) and 0.5-4.0 Angstrom (0.05-0.4 nm) passbands. Data from the SWPC Primary GOES X-ray satellite is shown. As of Feb 2008, no Secondary GOES X-ray satellite data is available. Some data dropouts will occur during satellite eclipses.

During the spring and fall, GOES satellites experience eclipses in which the Earth or moon blocks the X-ray instrument view to the sun for a short period every day. Eclipse season lasts for about 45 to 60 days and ranges from minutes to just over an hour. At these times there is a gap in the XRS signal shown.

Solar Activity Will Affect Galileo   27/07/2011

After years of inactivity, the Sun is waking up, perhaps profoundly affecting Earth's space environment and the satellites orbiting through it, including the imminent Galileo constellation. Solar storms affect satellite navigation in various ways, starting with the satellites themselves. Components can be unexpectedly upset and gradually degraded by the particle bombardments. Galileo's medium orbit at an altitude of around 23,200km is less protected by the geomagnetic field than other orbit regimes, like low orbits.

This orbit also takes the satellites through the outer Van Allen radiation belt, one of the two toroidal regions where incoming charged particles are funnelled by the magnetosphere - meaning they will actually have more lifetime radiation exposure than their higher-altitude geostationary equivalents. Navigation and positioning users on the surface, along with the terrestrial infrastructure overseeing the constellation and producing navigation signals, will also experience unwanted effects. "Propagating through an energised ionosphere leads to signal delay," explains Stefano Binda, an ESA engineer in the Galileo project. "Ordinary telecommunication systems can just boost through broadcast energy but satellite navigation uses the signal delay to calculate the user's position. "Just a billionth of a second's delay can cause a 30cm error, and the ionosphere can cause errors in the order of several metres." The uppermost layers of the atmosphere making up the electrically charged ‘ionosphere' are also perturbed.  "Right now we are in the upwards phase, with maximum solar activity predicted between 2012 and 2014. "This is an issue of concern for all satellites and therefore also for Galileo, as we begin launching this October and are scheduled to begin operations by mid-2014, right in the heart of the ‘solar max'." Our parent star makes its presence felt in a variety of ways, from the solar radiation all life relies on to the steady stream of the solar wind, made up of ionised nuclei and electrons. Then there is the sudden eruption of billions of tonnes of highly energetic charged particles during solar storms - two of which occurred last month. It typically takes a couple of days for these solar streams to reach our vicinity, where their interactions with Earth's magnetic field can cause spectacular low-latitude auroras, sometimes damaging electrical infrastructure. One 1989 event caused major power outages across Canada. http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id4956-Solar_Activity_Will_Affect_Galileo.html

Ice age threat should freeze EPA global warming regs

By: Shannon Goessling | OpEd Contributor | 07/26/11 8:05 PM

Rather than spiraling into a global warming meltdown, we may be heading into the next ice age.

The U.S. National Solar Observatory, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and astrophysicists across the planet report that the nearly all-time low sunspot activity may result in a sustained cooling period on Earth.

The news has sent global warming theory advocates scrambling to discount and explain away the impact on global temperatures. However, the "news" is not really that new.

Many reputable scientists have been warning for decades that we are nearing the end of the 11,500-year average period between ice ages. And the last similar crash in sunspot activity coincided with the so-called "Little Ice Age" in the 1600s that lasted nearly a century.

Despite increasing evidence that "global warming" climate change is not the unified scientific theory it has been promoted to be, vested interests continue to push for stringent limits on carbon dioxide emissions.

Certain investment banks and trading houses that stand to make billions on so-called "carbon credits," and the environmental sociologists who have as a stated purpose to change our way of life, are a powerful bloc.

In the Obama administration, this cabal has a willing "big stick" in the form the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has enacted draconian measures that will, by President Obama's admission, make energy costs "skyrocket."

The subject of intense litigation, the EPA regulations were enacted this year without congressional approval as required by the Clean Air Act and other laws. Estimates put the economic damage of these regulations at $1 trillion over the next 20 years, with a loss of between four and 10 million jobs.

Ironically, the current rush by global warming advocates to uncouple mounting evidence of global cooling from the global warming regime is not the first time they've backpedaled.

As referenced in ongoing litigation, the EPA admitted that generally applicable regulations would lead to "absurd" results, leading the agency to create a so-called "Tailoring Rule."

For example, global warming alarmists admit by their own calculations that reducing carbon emissions among a sample of large U.S. "emitters" to EPA-required levels might reduce the surface temperature by .00071 degree Celsius -- or 70 times lower than what is detectable.

Annual emission reductions sought would be replaced in 13 days by industrial growth in China. "Absurd" is understatement. So how do we handle "global cooling?"

In the 1970s and '80s, climatologists and astrophysicists were setting off alarms about pending global cooling and "the new ice age." Headlines in major weekly news magazines warned of a cooling catastrophe, with experts like famed astronomer Carl Sagan calling on industrialized countries to produce more carbon dioxide to offset the pending disaster.

High-level scientific proposals were advanced to redirect Arctic rivers, clear out swaths of high-density forests to release carbon dioxide, and even salt the Greenland ice caps with black carbon to attract sun melting in a global effort to stave off the impending ice age.

What happens during a "Little Ice Age?" Food-producing land becomes scarcer, food-growing seasons become shorter, and the world becomes a much more arid and less hospitable place. Think food shortages and the social unrest that follows.

The forces at work behind the global warming regulatory regime have, at worst, covered up, ignored and 

manipulated climate evidence to make the case that humans cause global warming and therefore humans should be punished.

At best, the mainstream scientific community is continuing to weigh the climate data as it becomes available. Caught in the flux are millions of Americans suffering under an economic tsunami that is anything but a theory.

The textbook definition of moving forward with global warming regulations is truly "absurd."

Shannon Goessling is executive director and chief legal counsel for the Southeastern Legal Foundation.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2011/07/ice-age-threat-should-freeze-epa-global-warming-regs#ixzz1TW98imUw


What would you do in the case of wide-spread and long-lasting electrical outage?  Do you have flashlights, extra batteries, candles, candle holders, and portable stick-up lights?  Do you have a method for cooking your food?  Do you have food storage that you can use if the stores run short or you cannot get to a store?  You should think about what to do in the case of an emergency that includes the electrical outage scenario.    Here is what FEMA says is a good preparedness plan beginning...

Power Outages And Disaster Planning: Lightening The Load If The Lights Go Out 

Release Date: June 12, 2006
Release Number: R10-06-018

» 2006 Region X News Releases 

SEATTLE, Wash. -- June is National Safety Month, with the week of 19 June set aside to stress the importance of emergency preparedness planning.  That same week is observed annually as National Lightning Safety Awareness Week.  According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, while Pacific Northwest communities generally enjoy a pretty robust infrastructure, complacency is a recipe for disaster.

"Our region is prone to a variety of natural disasters, ranging from thunderstorms and resulting lightning strikes, to seasonal flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and even volcanic activity.  Nor can we rule out the threat of terrorism," warns Pennington.  "Power grids, generating plants, transformer stations, power poles and even buried cable are vulnerable.  As families and businesses review their disaster plans and emergency kits, emergency power needs should rank right up there with food, water, first aid kits and shelter."

Candles may add a spark of adventure during power failures but are dangerous.  Flashlights and electric lanterns are safer by far.  Battery operated radios and clocks are other essentials, along with a supply of fresh batteries.  If electric wheel chairs or electric life support devices are part of the equation, consider extra battery packs or a prearranged agreement from local police or fire stations for priority support.

During a power outage, resist the temptation to call 9-1-1 for information-that's what your battery-powered radio is for.  Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage.  Turn off electric appliances to protect against power surges when power is restored.  Turn off all lights but one (to alert you when power resumes).  Plan on cell phones or corded phones for emergency calls - cordless phones require electricity.  Don't plug emergency generators into electric outlets or hook them directly to your home's electrical system - as they can feed electricity back into the power lines, putting you and line workers in danger.  Keep your car fuel tank at least half-full (gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps).

When the power comes back on, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances, to help eliminate problems that could occur if there's a sharp increase in demand. If you think that electric power has been restored to your area but your home is still without power, call your local power company.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 12-Jun-2006 10:41:11
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=26962
***************end update*****************************
UPDATE:7-28-2011

WARNING

BIG SUNSPOTS: NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% chance of M-class solar flares today. The source would be one of three big sunspots emerging along the sun's northeastern limb. Click on the image to view a 3-day movie from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory:

Among the three, the leading sunspot AR1260 is most active. It has produced more than a dozen C-class flares in the past 24 hours, more than doubling the total for the entire month of July so far. New sunspot AR1262, however, could eventually cause more trouble. Magnetograms of the active region reveal a delta-class magnetic field that harbors energy for powerful X-class eruptions. Readers with solar telescopes are encouraged to monitor developments.

more images: from Achim Marian Lucian of Targu Jiu, Gorj, Romania; from Peter Desypris of Island of Syros, Greece; from Gianfranco Meregalli of Milano Italy; from Ron Cottrell of Kitt Peak National Observatory; from John Minnerath of Crowheart, Wyoming; from Cai-Uso Wohler of Bispingen, Germany

The GOES X-ray Flux plot contains 5 minute averages of solar X-ray output in the 1-8 Angstrom (0.1-0.8 nm) and 0.5-4.0 Angstrom (0.05-0.4 nm) passbands. Data from the SWPC Primary GOES X-ray satellite is shown. As of Feb 2008, no Secondary GOES X-ray satellite data is available. Some data dropouts will occur during satellite eclipses.

SWPC X-ray alerts are issued at the M5 (5x10E-5 Watts/m2) and X1 (1x10E-4 Watts/m2) levels, based upon 1-minute data. Large X-ray bursts cause short wave fades for HF propagation paths through the sunlit hemisphere. Some large flares are accompanied by strong solar radio bursts that may interfere with satellite downlinks.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/xray_5m.html

Their page updates dynamically every 5 minutes.

http://sdowww.lmsal.com/suntoday/ http://www.solarmonitor.org/index.php

*******************end update*****************************************************
BIG SUNSPOTS: After more than a week of quiet, solar activity is picking up. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory is monitoring two big sunspot groups now emerging over the sun's eastern limb. Click on the image to view a 40-hour movie:

The leading sunspot group, AR1260, is crackling with M- and C-class solar flares among a quartet of Earth-sized cores. Not far behind, sunspot AR1261 is larger and may harbor energy for flares of its own. At the moment, these two sunspot groups are too far off disk-center to affect Earth, but this will change in the days ahead. Readers with solar telescopes are encouraged to monitor developments.

more images: from Pavol Rapavy of Observatory Rimavska Sobota, Slovakia; from Steve Wainwright of Gower S.Wales UK; from John Stetson of Falmouth, Maine;from Rogerio Marcon of Campinas SP Brasil; from Cai-Uso Wohler of Bispingen, Germany

http://spaceweather.com/

Space Weather News for July 27, 2011 – Big Sunspots!

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Jean

http://spaceweather.com

BIG SUNSPOTS: After more than a week of quiet, solar activity is picking up with the emergence of two large sunspot groups on the sun’s northeastern limb.  The active regions are crackling with C- and M-class solar flares.  So far none of the eruptions has been squarely Earth directed, but that could change in the days ahead as solar rotation turns the sunspots to face our planet. Visit http://spaceweather.com/ for images and more information.

SUNSPOT TELESCOPE:  Explore Scientific’s White Light Solar Observing System is perfect for monitoring large sunspots (and small ones too) and it is now available in the Space Weather Store:
http://www.shopspaceweather.com/explore-scientific-white-light-solar-observer-system.aspx

http://jhaines6.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/space-weather-news-for-july-27-2011-big-sunspots/

Guess I thought you’d want to know:

Space Weather News for July 27, 2011

BIG SUNSPOTS: After more than a week of quiet, solar activity is picking up with the emergence of two large sunspot groups on the sun’s northeastern limb. The active regions are crackling with C- and M-class solar flares.

So far none of the eruptions has been squarely Earth directed, but that could change in the days ahead as solar rotation turns the sunspots to face our planet.

Visit Space Weather News for images and more information.

SUNSPOT TELESCOPE: Explore Scientific’s White Light Solar Observing System is perfect for monitoring large sunspots (and small ones too) and it is now available in the Space Weather Store.

http://judecowell.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/big-sunspots-crackling-july-27-2011/

After a quiet period a couple fo larger sunspot groups are visible on the Sun today. Sunspot numbers 1260 & 1261

These are earth sized spots which aren’t in a position at present to affect us yet with their M and C class flare activity.

Since I have been asked to explain more what is meant by the flares and CME’s and effects they may have on Earth, I share the following:

Flare activity is classified into 3 categories accordign to their brighness in XRAY wavelengths. Within each category there are 9 sub divisions.

X-class flares are big; they are major events that can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms.Most cause just cause soem disruption to satellite and radio communications and noise in some imaging systems.

M-class flares are medium-sized; they can cause brief radio blackouts that affect Earth’s polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow an M-class flare.

Compared to X- and M-class events,C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth. These are the most common.

On July 14th 2000, there was an X6 flare which triggered an S3 radiation storm which due to the date became known as the”Bastille Day Event”. The storm occured only 15 minutes followed the flare. These major events can cause awasome geomagnetic storms resulting in spectacular auroras. This event was tje biggest solar radiation  vent since 1989.

The really interesting thing from my point of view – given my interest in Voyager Space craft was that this event was observed by both space craft – making it the farthest out observed soalr storm.

This year on Valentine’s Day we had another X class flare event which had made pretty sky displays but had no direct other impact on Earth.

A NASA study in 2009 showed that the risk related to major flare events and space weather can impact on space borne and ground based technological systems.

 For example they suggest that space weather can

• Produce solar storm electromagnetic fields that induce extreme currents in wires, disrupting power lines, causing wide-spread blackouts and affecting communication cables that support the Internet.
• Produce solar energetic particles and the dislocation of the Earth’s radiation belts, which can damage satellites used for commercial communications, global positioning and weather forecasting.

http://www.astronnewsroom.com/?p=1009

Alan Boyle: Cosmic Log

Solar region could spark big space storms

• July 23, 2004 | 8:35 p.m. ETWatch out for huge sunspot: A sunspot big enough to be seen by the naked eye (but don't!) is pointing straight at Earth and has already sparked a wave of auroras, also known as northern or southern lights.

Sunspot 652, which is wider than the planet Jupiter, is capable of generating the most powerful class of solar flares, known as the X-class.

Last fall, an unprecedented wave of X-class flares blasted so much electrically charged material toward Earth that it caused satellites to fail and stressed a power grid in Sweden.

It's not clear whether the new sunspot could unleash that kind of power, but if it did, its bull's-eye placement on the sun's disk would send the blast directly at us.

One geomagnetic storm wave already has swept past Earth's magnetic field, according to an advisory from SpaceWeather.com, but the main effect of that outburst was to create enhanced auroras as far south as Wisconsin on Thursday night.

NASA / ESA Sunspot 652 is the disturbance at the center of this image from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.

SpaceWeather's online gallery offers a selection of picturesque snapshots, and there's an amazing picture of the sunspot as seen from Pisa in Italy.

As explained in our sun viewing guide, you should never gaze directly at the sun without adequate protection. But there's no need to limit your sun exposure this summer weekend because of the potential for a solar storm.

Our atmosphere protects people on Earth from the radiation effects of the harshest coronal mass ejection, although astronauts and high-altitude fliers might receive extra exposure from a solar outburst.

To keep up to date on the space weather forecast over the weekend, check SpaceWeather.com or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration'sSpace Environment Center. The center expects geomagnetic activity from the previous outburst to settle down over the weekend, but its forecastalso says solar activity is expected to be "moderate to high," with Sunspot 652 still capable of producing major flares.

Generally speaking, the sun is on a downward curve in its 11-year activity cycle, and experts are becoming much more savvy about protecting satellites and power grids from solar blasts. So chances are that the most visible impact of solar flare-ups will be those beautiful northern lights.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5463633/

The eruption propelled a bright coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. Click on the image to view a movie of the expanding cloud recorded by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory:

Note: The many speckles in this movie are caused by energetic solar protons hitting the camera.

Moving at an estimated speed of 1950 km/s, this CME is expected to sweep up two earlier CMEs already en route. Analysts at the GSFC Space Weather Lab say  
...the combined cloud should reach Earth on August 5th at 13:55 UT plus or minus 7 hours: "The impact on Earth is likely to be major. The estimated maximum geomagnetic activity index level Kp is 7 (Kp ranges from 0 - 9). The flanks of the CME may also impact STEREO A, Mars and Mercury/MESSENGER." High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.
http://www.spaceweather.com/%20

NOTICE... the geomagnetic storm(s) are not just affecting the high latitudes this time.

SPACE WEATHERNOAA Forecasts Updated at: 2011 Aug 03 2200 UTC FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr CLASS M 65 % 65 % CLASS X 10 % 10 % Geomagnetic Storms:Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels: active, minor storm, severe storm Updated at: 2011 Aug 03 2200 UTC Mid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 05 % 40 % MINOR 01 % 10 % SEVERE 01 % 05 % High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr ACTIVE 05 % 40 % MINOR 01 % 15 % SEVERE 01 % 05 %

http://www.spaceweather.com/ 

What are some of the effects of solar flares on Earth?

I already know that solar flares cause the earth's atmosphere to become more ionized and has an effect on radio signals which causes a disruption in wireless communication. Is there any additional information you can give me on this idea and the effect of solar flares?

There are many effects of solar flares (and related solar processes) on Earth. I suggest you go check this site which lists the effects of the Sun on the Earth, including solar flares. 

The direct effects of solar flares are mainly related to communications and radio transmissions, which you already seem to know about. Solar flares are often associated with coronal mass ejections, the ejections of electrons, protons and ions from the Sun. These charged particles have some other effects on Earth. The Earth has a natural protection against these charged particles: its magnetic field and atmosphere that blocks most of them. However, some charged particles can enter the atmosphere at the poles. 

 One of the most spectacular (and extremely beautiful) consequence of this are auroras. When charged particles (especially electrons) find their way at the poles, they get accelerated along the lines of the magnetic field and collide with the particles in the atmosphere which makes them glow. That glow is what we see as an aurora. 

There are also health issues for ailine pilots and astronauts. For those of us that spend most of our time on the ground, the magnetic field and the atmosphere block out almost all of the harmful radiation and charged particles. This is not the case when you go up in the atmosphere. Airline pilots that fly at great altitude, and especially near the poles, are exposed to more of these. The same goes for astronauts. This results in a higher incidence of cancer among airline pilots and cabin crew. Astronauts have even reported seeing flashes of light because of high energy protons hitting their eyes! 

http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=308

SOLAR PROTON EVENT:

Solar protons normally have insufficient energy to penetrate through the Earth's magnetic field. However, during unusually strong solar flare events, protons can be produced with sufficient energies to penetrate deeper into the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. Regions where deeper penetration can occur includes the north pole, south pole, and South Atlantic magnetic anomaly.

Protons are charged particles and are therefore influenced by magnetic fields. When the energetic protons leave the Sun, they preferentially follow (or are guided by) the Sun's powerful magnetic field. When solar protons enter the domain of the Earth's magnetosphere where the magnetic fields become stronger than the solar magnetic fields, they are guided by the Earth's magnetic field into the polar regions where the majority of the Earth's magnetic field lines enter and exit.

 Energetic protons that are guided into the polar regions collide with atmospheric constituents and release their energy through the process of ionization. The majority of the energy is extinguished in the extreme lower region of the ionosphere (around 50-80 km in altitude). This area is particularly important to ionospheric radio communications because this is the area where most of the absorption of radio signal energy occurs. The enhanced ionization produced by incoming energetic protons increases the absorption levels in the lower ionosphere and can have the effect of completely blocking all ionospheric radio communications through the polar regions.

Such events are known as Polar Cap Absorption events (or PCAs). These events commence and last as long as the energy of incoming protons at approximately greater than 10 MeV (million electron volts) exceeds roughly 10 pfu (pfu = proton flux units = ^particles⁄_sr·cm²·s) at geosynchronous satellite altitudes.

The more severe proton events can be associated with geomagnetic storms that can cause widespread disruption to electrical grids. However, proton events themselves are not responsible for producing anomalies in power grids, nor are they responsible for producing geomagnetic storms. Power grids are only sensitive to fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field.

Extremely intense solar proton flares capable of producing energetic protons with energies in excess of 100 MeV can increase neutron count rates at ground levels through secondary radiation effects. These rare events are known as Ground Level Events (or GLE's).

There is no substantive scientific evidence to suggest that energetic proton events are harmful to human health at ground levels, particularly at latitudes where most of the Earth's population resides. The Earth's magnetic field is exceptionally good at preventing the radiative effects of energetic particles from reaching ground levels. High altitude commercial transpolar aircraft flights have measured increases in radiation during energetic proton events, but a warning system is in place that limits these effects by alerting pilots to lower their cruising altitudes. Aircraft flights away from the polar regions are far less likely to see an impact from solar proton events.

Significant proton radiation exposure can be experienced by astronauts who are outside of the protective shield of the Earth's magnetosphere, such as an astronaut in-transit to, or located on the Moon. However, the effects can be minimized if astronauts are in a low-Earth orbit and remain confined to the most heavily shielded regions of their spacecraft. Proton radiation levels in low earth orbit increase with orbital inclination. Therefore, the closer a spacecraft approaches the polar regions, the greater the exposure to energetic proton radiation will be.

Astronauts have reported seeing flashes or streaks of light as energetic protons interact with their optic tissues. Similar flashes and streaks of light occur when energetic protons strike the sensitive optical electronics in spacecraft (such as star trackers and other cameras). The effect can be so pronounced that during extreme events, it is not possible to obtain quality images of the Sun or stars. This can cause spacecraft to lose their orientation, which is critical if ground controllers are to maintain control.

Energetic proton storms can also electrically charge spacecraft to levels that can damage electronic components. They can also cause electronic components to behave erratically. For example, solid state memory on spacecraft can be altered, which may cause data or software contamination and result in unexpected (phantom) spacecraft commands being executed. Energetic proton storms also destroy the efficiency of the solar panels that are designed to collect and convert sunlight to electricity. During years of exposure to energetic proton activity from the Sun, spacecraft can lose a substantial amount of electrical power that may require important instruments to be turned off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_proton_event 

EXPLAINING THE Kp DATA MENTIONED BY SPACE WEATHER.COM:

A particularly useful predictor of the aurora that scientists use is the Kp index, also called the planetary-K index, which is compiled from magnetometer measurements at 13 stations that have records going back to 1949. Every 3-hour period of each day is assigned a Kp activity level between 0 and 9, somewhat similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes or the Beaufort scale for wind and storms. A Kp level of 0 means exceptionally quiet, whereas more disturbed times are described as:

    Kp = 4:    Calm Conditions
    Kp = 5:    Minor storm conditions
    Kp = 6:    Moderate storm conditions
    Kp = 7:    Strong storm conditions
    Kp = 8:    Severe storm conditions
    Kp = 9:    Extreme storm conditions

Kp levels of 0 to 4 are common; above 5 the Kp levels become increasingly rare, such that storms registering a Kp of 9 may only be observed a couple of times a year, or not at all during quiet periods of the solar cycle.

http://sunearthplan.net/4/780/Seeing-the-northern-lights-from-Britain

I am repeating an article from National Geographic regarding solar flares because it is now very applicable...

Published June 8, 2011

Solar Flare Sparks Biggest Eruption Ever Seen on Sun

Enormous ejection of particles into space shocks scientists.

A solar flare created a spectacular eruption on June 7 (pictured).

Image courtesy SDO/NASA

Dave Mosher

for National Geographic News

A mushroom of cooled plasma popped like a pimple and rained onto the surface of the sun yesterday—shooting perhaps the largest amount of solar material into space ever seen, scientists say.

...Instead, what shocked scientists was the unusual amount of material that lofted up, expanded, and fell back down over roughly half the surface area of the sun. The event's simultaneous launch of particles into space is called a coronal mass ejection (CME).

"This totally caught us by surprise. There wasn't much going on with this spot, but as it came from behind the sun, all of the sudden there was a flare and huge ejection of particles," said astrophysicist Phillip Chamberlin of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), one of several spacecraft that recorded the event.

"We've never seen a CME this enormous."

...But he warned space-weather experts are concerned about future solar events.

The sun's 11-year cycle of activity, driven by tangled surface magnetic fields, will hit its maximum in late 2013 or early 2014. Magnetic messiness will peak around that time and prompt nasty solar storms.

"We'll probably see [extreme] flares every couple of months instead of years," Chamberlin said.

If one of these powerful flares—and its coronal mass ejection—faces Earth, the particles will pound satellite components with charged particles, short some out, and potentially cripple them.

On the planet's surface, extra currents of solar particles drive extra electric current through power lines and heat them up. A solar storm in 1859, for example, caused telegraph lines to burst into flames. Power companies distribute loads to avoid such a disaster, but energetic solar storms could still blow transformers and lead to power outages, especially during heat waves like the one sweeping the eastern U.S. this week.

"Despite great countermeasures, the power grid is still vulnerable. We could be in for some serious problems," Chamberlin said.

For more on solar flares, sunspots, and solar wind, read "The Sun—Living With a Stormy Star," from National Geographic magazine >>

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110608-solar-flare-sun-science-space/ 

***********************end update*********************************
Update: 8-3-2011ONG SOLAR ACTIVITY: For the third day in a row, active sunspot 1261 has unleashed a significant M-class solar flare. The latest blast at 0357 UT on August 4th registered M9.3 on the Richter Scale of Flares, almost crossing the threshold into X-territory (X-flares are the most powerful kind).  

The number of energetic protons around Earth has jumped nearly 100-fold as a result of this event. M6-CLASS SOLAR FLARE: Sunspot 1261 unleashed another strong solar flare this morning--an M6-class flash at 1348 UT. Like yesterday's eruption from the same active region, this explosion propelled a CME in the general direction of Earth. ETA: August 6th. Stay tuned for additional analysis..