Solar Burst Could Scramble Phones, Power Lines

Friday, October 24, 2003

(7:16 AM ET) (11:16 GMT)

By Marsha Walton

CNN Writer

Solar activity is rated, similar to the system for hurricanes or earthquakes, on a scale of one to five, with 5 as the most intense. Friday's activity is expected to be a 3, or moderate.

Sunspots 484 and 486 on Oct. 23rd.

Image Credit: Bob Sandy of Roanoke County, Virginia.

CNN
Satellites, pagers, cell phones, and electrical grids could be affected Friday by a moderately powerful ejection of magnetic material from the sun.

Space weather forecasters say the coronal mass ejection, or CME, was detected Wednesday morning at 3 a.m. EDT. It is expected to reach Earth about 3 p.m. EDT Friday, and its effects could last 12 to 18 hours.

Space weather forecasters at NOAA's Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colorado, warn a number of industries when there is a major release of the hot flares of solar gases. They usually take two to four days to reach Earth.

In the midst of these electromagnetic events, power companies often refrain from peak uploading and downloading of power across the grid. Airlines are also alerted, because some navigation systems may be affected.

Satellites are perhaps most affected by the solar activity.
(More: CNN.com / Science & Space)
2003 © Cable News Network LP, LLLP.

On the Net:

* NOAA’s Space Weather

Space Environment Center (SEC) * National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

* SpaceWeather.com

Dr. Tony Phillips

More Info:

* Space Weather Center

Space Science Institute

Dan (better late than never -- I guess)