Satellite Survives Solar Storm

[Chris Blount]

So far, it appears in-orbit satellites and other spacecraft have weathered the recent massive solar storm.

Last week, scientists detected a large coronal mass ejection, which sent a stream of energized particles towards earth. According to reports, the event forced some commercial airlines to make adjustments with high-frequency communications, and some Himalayan expeditions using satellite phones experienced interference.

In the past, satellite operators have worried about heightened solar activity, worried that solar events could damage their spacecraft. However, as of press time, there were no official announcements about damage to any satellites.

http://www.skyreport.com (used with permission)

[Cyclone]

Damn! I was all psyched to start looting and everything.

[pez2002]

:)))

[HTguy]

Top Ten Effects of the Geomagnetic Storm:

10. Yankee bats rendered powerless

9. Straight men give gay men makeovers

8. For your safety, Taco Bell advises thinking inside the bun until storm is over

7. All cell phones have the same ring -- the theme from "Rocky"

6. George W. Bush speaks clearly

5. At grocery checkouts, all products scan as those Stella D'Oro butter cookies

4. Technical glitch causes old jokes to appear in Top Ten list

3. Clintern

2. Liza Minnelli kicks the crap out of everything in sight

1. A musclehead will rise to lead California

(Courtesy of CBS's Late Show with David Letterman)

[md_paul]

It looks like the Sun will try again sometime mid-day tomorrow when a much larger storm will pass the earth.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

[Jim Parker]

Here's something you don't see every day. We have a heavy fog here, enough to dim the sun so it is not very bright. There are 2 sun spots clearly visible to the naked eye. There is 1 dead center, and the second at about the 6 o'clock posistion is the one responsible for the flare.

If anybody else wants to look at it, use welding glass or a mylar sun filter. Don't use over exposed film, as it does not block the UV.

[BobMurdoch]

Uh oh...... This second larger storm is supposed to hit us tomorrow around Noon.

Hopefully, I still have a Satellite signal tomorrow night........

[music_beans]

Well, I will leave it on one of the Viacom channels and set my VCR to record the event (if any). I always wanted to see a 'technical difficulties' slate on Nick!

[md_paul]

The Sun just lobbed another three storms in our general direction....

http://www.msnbc.com/news/984388.asp?0bl=-0