Massive sunspot has Earth in its sights.

[Maria]

A sunspot five times the size of Earth could wreak havoc with satellites and radio communication systems, scientists warn, as it moves across the face of the sun and Earth moves directly into its firing line.

 

Seven huge X-class flares have already erupted from the spot, including one of magnitude X17 last Wednesday that made it into the record books as the fourth largest ever seen.

 

A huge solar flare

 

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that the flares have already caused problems with some electric power systems, radio communications and global positioning equipment.

 

It went on to warn that further flares are likely in the next week, and because the sunspot is moving into line with Earth, the risk of disruptions is even greater as the solar activity will strike the planet head-on.

 

The daddy of all solar flares was spotted in November 2003, and ranked X28 on the magnitude scale. Fortunately, the flare did not directly strike Earth. Even so, it did disrupt satellites, and caused some problems for the Mars Express spacecraft, which at that time was still en route to Mars.

 

The radiation from a flare will reach the Earth within minutes, but the charged particles associated with the event take longer to arrive, typically two days. These particles are responsible for the Auroras Borealis and Australis; the Northern and Southern lights.

 

These plasma storms are also responsible for interfering with power grids, TV reception, satellites and so on. In 1989 a solar flare that hit the Earth directly actually knocked out a whole power grid in Quebec.

[fifedjdomo]

[Guest]

Gona be awesome me thinks.

[fifedjdomo]

it'll be warm for a while at least lol

[Guest]

Scotland wont know what's hit'em !

[fifedjdomo]

lol dont i know it. we're all braced for the worst to come durin october. looks like its gonna be hot and sunny for a lil while.

then it will drop.

how miserable

it will rain for daayyyys on end

[Guest]

Nothing new there !

[fifedjdomo]

how would you know???

 

although wales is very much like scotland so i would imagine you have a pretty good idea

[Guest]

 

although wales is very much like scotland so i would imagine you have a pretty good idea 

200074[/snapback]

 

No chance, weather wise, Scotland is WORSE than Wales.

[fifedjdomo]

 

so is ireland

 

england is alright. the north (newcastle north, not this half way north pish like manchester - HAH) is almost the same as well but better all the same

[Ginge]

Thats what I love about England...the weather ALWAYS keeps you guessing.

 

The only way to be totally prepared for everything is to either take a ruck sack full of all weather clothes or just dont go out at all.

[fifedjdomo]

lol perfectly true

 

OR

 

get a car

[Ginge]

...with a ruck sack full of clothes incase the car breaks down.

[Guest]

[fifedjdomo]

why bother.

u could get more clothes in the boot than in a rucksack