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Science

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)

7. Fears of disruption as big solar storm hits the Earth

Reply to Ilsa (Original post)

Thu Mar 8, 2012, 06:34 AM

Mar 2012

The Earth is currently being battered by a storm of charged particles from the Sun, which could disrupt power grids, satellite navigation and plane routes.

The storm - the largest in five years - will bombard the Earth's magnetic field throughout Thursday.

It was triggered by a pair of solar flares - the largest of their kind - earlier this week.

As a result, the Northern Lights may be visible at lower latitudes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17295337 8 March 2012 Last updated at 09:50

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Highlight:

Geomagnetic Storms Could Blow Away the Power Grid [View all] Ilsa Mar 2012 OP

And right on cue...Sunspot AR1429 just let loose an X5 flare. Liberal Veteran Mar 2012 #1

Update - R3 Radio blackout now in progress Viva_La_Revolution Mar 2012 #2

I wonder what the politicians think about this? Ilsa Mar 2012 #5

Politicians "think?" Bigmack Mar 2012 #8

When do you think they will know if we will be hit? nt Mojorabbit Mar 2012 #3

Here's a good guesstimate... and it's pretty too. TalkingDog Mar 2012 #4

Thanks! nt Mojorabbit Mar 2012 #6

Fears of disruption as big solar storm hits the Earth dipsydoodle Mar 2012 #7