Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
Home Space Astronomy

Sun unleashes violent solar flare

Mihai Andrei by Mihai Andrei
February 11, 2013
in Astronomy, Physics, Science
Reading Time: 1 min read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

As the Sun is entering its active period from the 11-year cycle, more and more such events are being reported. A long-lasting solar flare erupted from the sun early Saturday, triggering a huge solar flare aimed at our planet. But there’s nothing really to be feared, astronomers explain: it should not endanger satellites or astronauts in space, but could amplify auroras on Earth, NASA says.

Sorry to interrupt, but you should really...

...Join the ZME newsletter for amazing science news, features, and exclusive scoops. More than 40,000 subscribers can't be wrong.

   

solar flare
Picture source

“In the past, CMEs at this strength have had little effect,” NASA officials said in a statement. “They may cause auroras near the poles but are unlikely to disrupt electrical systems on Earth or interfere with GPS or satellite-based communications systems.”

The event was captured in pictures by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint effort by NASA and the ESA. It typically takes three days for flares to reach our planet, and when they do, they can generate geomagnetic storms when they interact with out planet’s magnetic field. As NASA explains however, this storm will only have a pleasant visual effect.

“We live right next to a star,” wrote Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who currently lives on the International Space Station, in a Twitter post. “Today it ejected a huge blob at 500 mi/sec. But not to worry – should be good aurorae.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Andrei's background is in geophysics, and he's been fascinated by it ever since he was a child. Feeling that there is a gap between scientists and the general audience, he started ZME Science -- and the results are what you see today.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • More

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.