Solar storm set to arrive this weekend

Space weather experts expect ‘minor to moderate’ impacts to satellites and communications

This NASA image shows the developing flare on July 12. Photo courtesy NASA/SDO/AIA.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Yet another major area of activity has bubbled up on the surface of the sun, sending an X-class solar flare jetting toward Earth.

The wave of solar plasma, known as a coronal mass ejection,  will spur a geomagnetic storm over the weekend. For now, the solar storm is only forecast to have minor to moderate impacts.

The peak of the solar storm are likely to be felt on Earth starting at about 11 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The incoming energy will probably also trigger a spectacular display of northern lights in northern latitudes. (more…)

Solar storm sweeps toward Earth

Charged particles from sun may affect a few electronic devices

A solar flare and coronal mass ejection on the sun are likely to trigger a geomagnetic storm on Earth beginning Tuesday morning. PHOTO COURTESY NASA SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The strongest solar storm since 2005 is only having a minimal impact on Earth, where some aircraft communications may be degraded in polar regions.

The eruptions on the sun are likely to result in a geomagnetic storm on Earth starting about 9 a.m. EST and continuing into Wednesday. Geomagnetic storms have the potential to impact power grids, where voltage corrections may be required. Such storms have also been known to trigger false alarms on some protective devices.

There could also be problems with intermittent satellite navigation and low frequency navigation devices.

According to the National Weather Service strong geomagnetic storms can also lead to bright hauroras in high latitude skies.

According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the radiation storm has been slowly intensifying since Monday morning and was reaching it peak late Monday night.

Updates will be posted at the Space Weather site as we learn more or follow us on Facebook.

Solar storm brings extraordinary display of northern lights

Northern U.S. and Europe treated to unusual celestial display

A file photo of the Aurora Borealis in Bear Lake, Alaska. PHOTO COURTESY U.S. AIRFORCE, SENIOR AIRMAN JOSHUA STRANG.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — One of the strongest geomagnetic storms in recent records rippled across the Earth’s upper atmosphere this week, triggering an Aurora Borealis display that extended far south beyond the usual boundaries. The play of northern lights was visible across sections of North American and Europe, where Storyful.com compiled a record of the event as captured by viewers in various parts of the world.The following video was taken in Latvia.

According to SpaceWeather.com, the storm is subsiding, but could flare up again. A gallery of Aurora Borealis photos is online at this SpaceWeather web page.

And finally, here’s a NASA web page with more information: http://geology.com/nasa/aurora-borealis.shtml

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