Solar Storms Hit the Earth Again

Major solar storm recorded in the last five years arrives on Earth, Thursday morning (03/08/2012) on American time or Thursday night in West Indonesia. However, the storm will be absorbed by Earth's magnetic field and not harmful to humans. However, the storm was expected to disrupt power grids, GPS systems, satellite, and forcing some airlines to change their route, especially around the poles. 

The handout image provided by NASA shows a solar flare errupting at 7 pm EDT on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, and that was heading towards Earth. (Picture from: http://ibnlive.in.com/)

Solar storms that are part of the annual solar cycle of eleven normal which should reach its peak next year. The storm did not directly harm humans, but interfere with human technology. 

According to the space research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Joseph Kunches, the storm began with a large flame panhandle known as 1429 and developed into a giant bubble. When the bubble burst, the particles resulting from the scattering corona mass ejection toward Earth at 6.4 million kilometers per hour. 

Subatomic particles that resemble the filaments were then hit the Earth within a few minutes after the initial explosion with a radio wave interference and radiation. 

Particle cloud is what will disrupt power grids, aviation, satellite, and GPS, especially in the northern hemisphere. In addition, it will create the aurora storm is more colorful. 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said second flame classified as X-Class is one of the big storm, a little below the largest storm that occurred in August. "Solar activity reaches its peak in late 2013," NASA said in a statement. 

Astronomers say the sun is relatively quiet for several years. The storm that hit this now looks strong for the earth to fall asleep with a weak solar activity for several years. 

Ten years ago, solar storms have occurred several times a year. "The storm this time is a good event in size, but not the kind of extreme," said Bill Murtagh, Space weather center's program coordinator. 

According Kunches, the effects of the eruption could be felt on Thursday morning and continue until Friday (03/09/2012) morning. "The area that erupted in the sun still continue to send particles into the earth," he said.

Still, the potential for problems is widespread. Solar storms have three ways they can disrupt technology on Earth: with magnetic, radio and radiation emissions. This is an unusual situation, when all three types of solar storm disruptions are likely to be strong, Kunches said.

In 1989, a strong solar storm knocked out the power grid in Quebec, causing 6 million people to lose power.

Satellites can be affected, too. NASA spokesman Rob Navias said the space agency wasn't taking any extra precautions to protect astronauts on the International Space Station from added radiation. *** [AFP | YAHOO NEWS | SPACE.COM | YULIZAR | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 09032012]

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