Dodged a solar bullet., page 1

On February 15, solar region 1158 produced the strongest solar flare of solar cycle 24 to date, rated X2.2. The flare began at 1:44am (UTC), peaked at 1:56, and ended at 2:06. For 22 minutes radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, and x-ray radiation poured out of a cluster of sunspots covering an area on the surface of the Sun more than 2.5 times the surface area of the Earth.

This burst of electromagnetic energy was produced by complex interactions between conflicting magnetic fields reaching across the region and between the individual sunspots within it. The energy of a solar flare is not directional. A flare occurring anywhere on the hemisphere of the Sun facing Earth is "Earth directed".

The energy raced at the speed of light across the solar system in an ever widening hemispherical shell. It arrived at Earth a bit more than 8 minutes after leaving the Sun. Flashing unaffected through the shell of the magnetosphere, the powerful radio waves were still intense enough to produce a burst of VHF radio noise on the daylit side of the planet (Asia and Australia) temporarily interfering with communications. The ultraviolet and x-ray radiation struck the upper atmosphere, ripping electrons from their atoms. This ionization can, if strong enough, cause problems for satellite communications but it also can strengthen the reflectivity of the ionosphere, allowing ham radio operators in the high frequency bands to communicate over long distances for a while afterward.

At about the same time the flare occurred and eruption of material from Sun's corona was hurled into space by the same release of magnetic forces which produced the flare. Unlike the flare, this fast moving cloud of hot ions (plasma) was sent in a particular direction away from the Sun. This CME (coronal mass ejection) was directed toward Earth. We know this because of the expanding halo of material which can be seen in the coronograph images from the SOHO satellite which lies on a direct line between the Sun and the Earth. Because the expanding material forms a complete circle, spreading evenly, the cloud must be moving directly toward us.

Here's a combination of the two.



This wispy cloud of protons and electrons was moving much slower than the energy from the flare which accompanied its creation, taking very close to three days to reach Earth. By the time the products of the CME reached us they were hardly detectable, notable by mostly by an abrupt increase in the speed of the solar wind and a rise in its temperature.


So ephemeral was the CME that it has had little effect, causing only slight fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, easing worries of those fearing power failures.

The solar wind maintained a mostly strong north alignment, producing that "balled up" look in the magnetosphere simulator which some get concerned about. That doesn't mean the magnetosphere is in trouble, it means the magnetosphere is turning its back on the solar wind rather than welcoming it with open arms. This alignment prevents solar particles from entering the Earth's upper atmosphere, disappointing those hoping for an auroral display.





To get a better idea of what may be a real cause for concern, here is what a non-wispy CME looks like when it's headed our way. July 14, 2000, the "Bastille Day Event".

Notice how much denser this CME was than the one from this week. The speckles which appear at the end of the animation are the result of high energy protons striking the sensor, a "proton storm". The flare associated with this CME was an X5 (much stronger than the recent X2.2). Aurora were visible as far south as El Paso, Texas. It was a direct hit. We survived.


Region 1158 is now rotating away from our direction so that any future CMEs from it will not impact Earth (on this rotation). But Region 1161 has been growing a bit and is exhibiting some characteristics which may lead to vigorous activity.

The STEREO B satellite reveals a fairly calm face around the corner. So, barring a burst from 1161, it looks like there may be a lull in activity for at least 10 to 14 days but it is certain that we will have more opportunities to sit on the edges of our seats.

reply to post by Phage

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Great post. Informative and factual. It was very interesting to read and gave me a much better understanding.
So refreshing to not be bombarded by doom mongers!

reply to post by Phage

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Nice thread. Good to see solid science and a reasoned reaction (but what else would we expect from you Phage ). We need more of this to counter balance the constant doom and gloom. It seems like every little bit of solar activity causes people here on ATS to cry wolf, same for Earthquakes and all other natural disasters. Hopefully this thread will help people understand the way our star works and when concern is actually called for.

reply to post by Phage

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Very informative and well put together. I always appreciate images that back up or support what a member is saying. I have become curious about the sun since joining ATS and it's posts like yours that keep me clued in and rivetted. So thank you.

reply to post by Phage

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So what happens next time if we don't "dodge the bullet" ???

Is solar activity building?

reply to post by Hope_for_reason

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There is a slim possibility that North America (Northern Canada and Alaska) will get a light show in the early hours before dawn but there isn't much chance of activity continuing beyond 10:00 UTC.

reply to post by badw0lf

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Are you joking?
Seriously, I can`t figure out if you are being sarcastic, a hater, or have valid info to back up your claim.

reply to post by On the level

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Though this solar cycle is shaping up to be less active than average numerically (fewer sunspots), solar scientists have no way of even guessing at the intensity of upcoming activity. We do know that very powerful incidents are rare but that just means it takes more rolls of the dice to come up snake eyes.

Originally posted by csulli456
reply to post by badw0lf

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Are you joking?
Seriously, I can`t figure out if you are being sarcastic, a hater, or have valid info to back up your claim.

THANKS...

reply to post by badw0lf

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lol
Hey man, I`m tired, maybe I should stand in the snow.
I had been following some of the other threads about recent earthquake activity and saw you post quite often and wasn`t sure how to take your post here.
So much craziness and deception in the world today that I thought you may have been serious.
I also didn`t see Phage respond to you so thought maybe he was ignoring you as if you two were`nt friends or something..
Anyway, no offense to Phage, just wasn`t sure where badwolf was going with that post.
Sorry for the mix-up.

Star and Flag for this thread Phage, I agree you always are very informative although I don`t always respond I usually give you stars and flags.
Thanks again for the info..

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