[TowerTalk] Scientists Detect Major Solar Flare, Issue Storm Warning

[DavidC]

Anyone have a guess as to how this may impact Ham communications?

- Thanks! & 73, DavidC  K1YP in Hudson, FL

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Apr 7, 2000 - 02:25 PM

Scientists Detect Major Solar Flare, Issue Storm Warning
By Joseph B. Verrengia
The Associated Press


BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Scientists detected a major solar flare Friday that
could create a spectacular light show in the night sky but was not expected
to disrupt communications or knock out electrical power.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecast of moderate
solar storm activity was in effect through midday Saturday EDT.
While geomagnetic eruptions on the sun can interfere with communications and
knock out power, no immediate disruptions were reported. Forecasters said
the intense part of the storm had passed by midday Friday, but there was a
chance of another outbreak on Sunday.
The sun is approaching the height of its 11-year storm cycle, known as the
Solar Max, although the peak had been relatively quiet until now.
The storm was rated at a moderate G-2 level on the federal government's new
space weather scale of 1 to 5. Initially, the storm spiked to G-4, or
severe.
Scientists said the storm originated Tuesday morning when a cluster of
sunspots emerged, then faded, on the sun. A cloud of electrically charged
particles hurled from the sun rode the solar wind and reached Earth's
magnetic field midday Thursday.
Eric Ort, a space weather forecaster, said he received reports from Ireland
that the display of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, was spectacular
as a result of the solar storm. Weather permitting, the display might be
visible at lower latitudes after midnight for the next night or two, he
said.
The Space Weather Operations Center is jointly operated by NOAA and the Air
Force.
---
On the Net: www.noaa.gov
AP-ES-04-07-00 1425EDT

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