Major Solar Flare

Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:24 pm » by **Christopherdel**

The sun unleashed another major solar flare Wednesday, a solar storm so powerful it could spawn dazzling northern lights displays that could be visible from even New York City.

The solar flare erupted at 6:23 p.m. EST (2323 GMT), letting loose a wave of charged particles that is aimed straight at Earth and should arrive in the next few days.

When it does, it could supercharge the Earth's aurora borealis -- also known as the Northern Lights -- when the particles interact with the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere. [Photos: Dazzling Auroras Seen by Northern Observers]

"This flare could make the Northern Lights visible as far south as Washington State, central Idaho, northern Wyoming, the Dakotas and east to Chicago, Detroit, NYC and Boston," explains SPACE.com's skywatching columnist Joe Rao. "Of course, we have to hope that the subatomic particles emitted by the flare arrive at the Earth's vicinity during the nighttime hours and of course, that skies are clear!"

Predicting the effects and arrival time of solar storms is very difficult, however, so while the light storm could reach Earth Thursday evening it's not certain it would be visible so far south. Also, bright city lights could render the sky show difficult or impossible to see.

Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:28 pm » by **Drjones**

What i said earlier, what happens on Earth when this unusual sun activity combines with the coming unusual moon activity ? :shock:

Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:49 pm » by **Will69ease**

It was impressive, pointed at the planet.
http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin ... ie_theater
(just enter the dates and use LASCO2 or LASCO3)

Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:51 pm » by **Christopherdel**

will69ease wrote:It was impressive, pointed at the planet.
http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin ... arch_movie

that link didnt work and almost screwed up my laptop

Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:52 pm » by **Will69ease**

christopherdel wrote:
will69ease wrote:It was impressive, pointed at the planet.
http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin ... arch_movie

that link didnt work and almost screwed up my laptop

My god you were quick...I fixed it.