Solar Storm Dumps Gigawatts into Earth's Upper Atmosphere

Source - NASA Science News for March 22, 2012

A flurry of solar activity in early March dumped enough heat in Earth's upper atmosphere to power every residence in New York City for two years. The heat has since dissipated, but there's more to come as the solar cycle intensifies.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/22mar_saber/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEFQHDSYP1I

Getting Ready for the Next Big Solar Storm

Source - NASA Science News for June 21, 2011

In Sept. 1859, on the eve of a below-average solar cycle, the sun unleashed one of the most powerful storms in centuries. This week, researchers and policy makers met in Washington DC to ask themselves, What if it happens again?

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/22jun_swef2011/

Solar Activity Heats Up

Source - NASA Science News for April 14, 2011

With a burst of solar flares and Northern Lights, the sun is waking up from a three-year slumber.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/14apr_thewatchedpot/

A video version of this story is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBl_FOONrB0

First X-flare of the New Solar Cycle

Souce - Space Weather News for Feb. 15, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

MAJOR FLARE: Earth-orbiting satellites have detected the strongest solar flare in more than four years. At 0156 UT on Feb. 15th, giant sunspot 1158 unleashed an X2-class eruption. X-flares are the strongest type of x-ray flare, and this is the first such eruption of new Solar Cycle 24. The explosion that produced the flare also sent a solar tsunami rippling through the sun's atmosphere and, more importantly, hurled a coronal mass ejection toward Earth. This raises the possibility of geomagnetic storms in the days ahead. Visit http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt in your area? Sign up for http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice) or http://spaceweathertext.com (text) for space weather alerts.