Major burst of solar flares could trigger bright auroras this week
A sunspot labeled AR2824 let off a rapid-fire series of a dozen solar flares on May 22 that is “unlike anything we’ve seen in years,” according to astronomer Tony Phillips at SpaceWeather.com.
Flares are bursts of electromagnetic light and energy at different wavelengths that reach Earth within minutes.
Sunspot erupts with 12 flares in 24 hours, spacecraft watches – YouTube
M1.1-Class Solar Flare and Radio Blackout – YouTube
The burst was so energetic it made a lot of noise on radio telescopes. “This was a very hot and dynamic flare for sure,” Thomas Ashcraft, who recorded the flare with a radio telescope in New Mexico, told SpaceWeather.com. “Strong solar radio emissions were present at all frequencies.”
You can listen to the recording here (MP3 link, Space Weather).
The collision can spark what’s called a geomagnetic storm producing bright auroras at higher and even some middle latitudes. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts the aurora borealis could be visible as far south as Chicago starting Tuesday evening and continuing through Wednesday.
The center is predicting a possible G2-class geomagnetic storm, which is considered moderate and can also interfere with some power systems at high latitudes and certain radios including short-wave radio.
Bron: Major burst of solar flares could trigger bright auroras this week – CNET
