Huge solar storm to shower Earth with radioactive particles

[MothBalls]

The largest solar storm for seven years is expected to send a shower of radioactive solar particles racing towards Earth at almost 1,400 miles a second this week, according to NASA. NASA says the flare may also spark an unusually large display of auroras, which may be visible at lower latitudes than normal.

The dazzling array of brightly colored lights, known as the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, can frequently be seen in northern Canada, and the far north of Europe, from Greenland to Iceland and Norway.This week's powerful solar storm has already seen the lights visible as far south as Scotland, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire, in northern England.http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/24/world/europe/solar-flare-nasa/index.html




I wish I lived far enough north to see this. I've never seen the Aurora Borealis, just pictures and videos. Maybe some of the camera buffs from here who live up that could snap some pics?

Spectacular pictures of the aurora borealis (http://www.tecca.com/pictures/aurora-borealis-northern-lights-pictures/2/#TeccaPhotoID=1)
http://media.tecca.com/2011/09/16/contrasting-against-the-night-sky-600w.jpg

[Herr-Berbunch]

It's on my list of things to see. :yep: I'll keep looking North tonight.

I've heard it was visible up near Jim last night, don't know if he saw it?

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/501997149.jpg?Expires=1327416772&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=OMYrp02wC5EouBkh-9gM8lIwVmpfkQ8xKCEaEV70V0hygbkrJOYCUIqoMgbpsPMQRZ4 STgJRtY-Y9hqXGJhqSn4gSmDZ99CsU2HhxMMJsXjwCZEyH3N5dXJ1jHTXv INLJe6Ye2G3VhS6A1ifhYiIa%7EBJ6Hw3i6dwBfBd6ooWAoc_

[Saltback]

Hi Guy's!

Yet more too see as from this week 22/01/2012 A great show in the Northern Sky's of the U.K North EU another Huge solar storm!

Don't get too cold:arrgh!:

[Dowly]

Almost clear skies here, so hopefully I spot them. Always a stunner to see northern lights. :yep:

[Penguin]

*jealously looks North*
why, oh why can't us people in the deep South watch this spectacle...:wah:

I hope you get your cameras out tonight!

[Krauter]

Hmm.. be nice to see if it reaches us this far south... Doubt it though.

[Oberon]

It's been traditional British weather all day here, so I doubt we'll see anything. Shame.

[BossMark]

It's been traditional British weather all day here, so I doubt we'll see anything. Shame.
Yeah pissed it down all day in Leeds :wah:

[Saltback]

Hi Guy's!

Got good news for you guy's in the deep South of UK!

You are very likely too see the Storm tonight if sky's are clear!

Look to the North East & all will be delight:o

Good Luck:rock:

[tater]

"Radioactive" particles?*

*sigh*

Once again, it's the Gell-Mann principle in news. Reporters are not terribly smart on any particular subject, are they?

Solar protons (or electrons) are radiation, but not radioactive. Radioactive applies to particles (atoms, etc) that emit radiation spontaneously (usually due to nuclear instability), not particles that ARE radiation (betas, alphas, etc).

Wonder how many science reporters actually studied (or did) science, not journalism? Ditto any other subject.

The old saw "those who can't do, teach" is unfair to teachers. They have to at least understand what they teach to pass it along. Those without the first clue... write news copy.


*yes, a small % of the increased solar radiation could well be radioactive ions, but that % is TINY. The vast bulk is betas (electrons) and protons.

[Betonov]

I'm guessing it's wishfull thinking if I hope to see the storm down at 45° lattitude :cry:

[Jimbuna]

It's on my list of things to see. :yep: I'll keep looking North tonight.

I've heard it was visible up near Jim last night, don't know if he saw it?

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/501997149.jpg?Expires=1327416772&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=OMYrp02wC5EouBkh-9gM8lIwVmpfkQ8xKCEaEV70V0hygbkrJOYCUIqoMgbpsPMQRZ4 STgJRtY-Y9hqXGJhqSn4gSmDZ99CsU2HhxMMJsXjwCZEyH3N5dXJ1jHTXv INLJe6Ye2G3VhS6A1ifhYiIa%7EBJ6Hw3i6dwBfBd6ooWAoc_

Nope I was too busy having a 'last night before work' drink...but I did see it on the late news :oops:

[Rhodes]

I'm guessing it's wishfull thinking if I hope to see the storm down at 45° lattitude :cry:

Same as here! The north has all the fun!

[Herr-Berbunch]

Looks like it may clear for a couple of hours in a couple of hours - I'll have a peek then but I'm not hopeful :cry:

[Jimbuna]

I'll keep an eye out too
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000BeZmCgALMJY/s/900/720/man-looking-out-window-EdBook079.jpg

[Reece]

It's on my list of things to see. :yep: I'll keep looking North tonight.
http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/501997149.jpg?Expires=1327416772&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=OMYrp02wC5EouBkh-9gM8lIwVmpfkQ8xKCEaEV70V0hygbkrJOYCUIqoMgbpsPMQRZ4 STgJRtY-Y9hqXGJhqSn4gSmDZ99CsU2HhxMMJsXjwCZEyH3N5dXJ1jHTXv INLJe6Ye2G3VhS6A1ifhYiIa%7EBJ6Hw3i6dwBfBd6ooWAoc_
Fat chance I'll see it!:haha:

[Herr-Berbunch]

You have your own wonders down under I'd also like to see. :yep:

Edit - aaargh, that doesn't read quite how I intended. Your country has it's own stunning sites and sights! Move along, please.

[THE_MASK]

You have your own wonders down under I'd also like to see. :yep:

Edit - aaargh, that doesn't read quite how I intended. Your country has it's own stunning sites and sights! Move along, please.:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

[Jimbuna]

There'll be a few sites in Nerang I should imagine.

[Reece]

I must agree with Sober's reply!!:yep:
:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

[Oberon]

I also agree with Sobers reply:

:har::har::har::har::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl 2:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Will you all just grow up, and stop laughing at my expense :o


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:doh:

[danasan]

Just as a side note :O::

Anybody seen anything regarding the solar storm ?

[ajrimmer42]

Looked briefly last night but I'm on the South side of Sheffield and the light pollution from the city just obscured any chance of seeing it :( I'll check again tonight though, apparently it has been seen in Yorkshire in the last few days.

On the subject, may I suggest that you kind sirs and gentlewomen take a look at this http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/27603
Even if it got the required 10k sigs or whatever it needs, it probably wouldn't happen for years but it may be worthwhile the few seconds it takes to sign.

:salute: