Sun will be at it's max strength for the first time since 2001

[geetrue]

Does this mean anything or is it just one of those things ...

Could interfere with cell phones, satellite reception, VHF etc

Strange weather in the Northern Lights:

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/sun-eruption-aurora-activity-100802.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed& utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+H eadline+Feed%29

Spectacular Northern Lights Show Signals Sun Is Waking Up
By SPACE.com Staff

posted: 02 August

Skywatchers at high latitudes could be in for a spectacular treat of northern lights, the aurora borealis, Tuesday and Wednesday: After a relatively quiet stretch, it appears the sun is ramping up its activity.

The sun's surface erupted early Sunday, blasting tons of plasma (ionized atoms) into space. These atoms are headed toward Earth and could create a stunning light show in the process.

"This eruption is directed right at us and is expected to get here early in the day on Aug. 4th," said Leon Golub of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. "It's the first major Earth-directed eruption in quite some time."

The solar eruption, called a coronal mass ejection, was spotted by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory , which captures high-definition views of the sun at a variety of wavelengths. SDO was launched in February and peers deep into the layers of the sun, investigating the mysteries of its inner workings.

"We got a beautiful view of this eruption," Golub said. "And there might be more beautiful views to come if it triggers aurorae."

Views of aurorae are usually associated with Canada and Alaska, but even skywatchers in the northern U.S. mainland are being told they can look toward the north Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for rippling "curtains" of green and red light.

When a coronal mass ejection reaches Earth, solar particles stream down our planet's magnetic field lines toward the poles. In the process, the particles collide with atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, which then glow, creating an effect similar to miniature neon signs.

The interaction of the solar particles with our planet's magnetic field has the potential to create geomagnetic storms, or disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere. And while aurorae are normally visible only at high latitudes, they can light up the sky even at lower latitudes during a geomagnetic storm.

The sun's activity usually ebbs and flows on a fairly predictable cycle. Typically, a cycle lasts about 11 years, taking roughly 5.5 years to move from a solar minimum, a period of time when there are few sunspots, to peak at the solar maximum, during which sunspot activity is amplified.

The last solar maximum occurred in 2001. The latest minimum was particularly weak and long- lasting. The most recent solar eruption is one of the first signs that the sun is waking up and heading toward another maximum.

[Lionclaw]

Hey, that's cool. Have to keep an eye on the sky this evening, thanks.

Have to try and take photos.

[Zachstar]

I need to put the cover on my computer before morning.

In the early part of last decade computers were dropping like flies due to EM interference from the numerous flares.

[Dowly]

Everybody not wearing 2 million sunblock is going to have a real bad day

*takes elevator to his nuke proof bunker*

[Castout]

But anyone who seldom bath himself is perfectly protected without sunblock application

[Dowly]

Goddammit... I knew I forgot something! Ah well, back to the drawingboard.

[antikristuseke]

Originally Posted by Zachstar

I need to put the cover on my computer before morning.

In the early part of last decade computers were dropping like flies due to EM interference from the numerous flares.

Never had a problem with that, but now that you mention it, this would be a good excuse to build a faraday cage around my computer, just because I can.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by antikristuseke

Never had a problem with that, but now that you mention it, this would be a good excuse to build a faraday cage around my computer, just because I can.

[SteamWake]

Here is a page with lots of info.

Its radio propagation related but tracks the suns activitys in a lot of ways. Based on fact not hyperbole

Anyhow its worth a browse even if your not interested in HF radio.

http://prop.hfradio.org/

[TLAM Strike]

Keep an eye on the sky next week too. The moon will be a Perigee (its closest point in its orbit to Earth) and will be full on Tuesday night.

[August]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Keep an eye on the sky next week too. The moon will be a Perigee (its closest point in its orbit to Earth) and will be full on Tuesday night.

That means moonrise should be fairly spectacular.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by August

That means moonrise should be fairly spectacular.

For sure. I got my binoculars ready.

I did make one error I appears moon will be up in the day time and set before night time on that day, at least on the US East Coast.

[August]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

For sure. I got my binoculars ready.

I did make one error I appears moon will be up in the day time and set before night time on that day, at least on the US East Coast.

Bummer.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

For sure. I got my binoculars ready.

I did make one error I appears moon will be up in the day time and set before night time on that day, at least on the US East Coast.

Heh you caught it first