|
. | . |
|
by Olga Yazhgunovich Moscow (Voice of Russia) Jun 13, 2014
The Sun has recently emitted two enormous and potentially harmful X-class flares during an active stage of its weather cycle, the Space Reporter wrote. On Tuesday, the Sun emitted he so-called X-class flares, one of which might damage communication systems for up to an hour. According to the US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) such intense radiation could cause temporary radio communications blackouts on Earth. Colorado-based SWPC noted that some areas on Earth are particularly vulnerable. The "area of impact consists of large portions of the sunlit side of Earth, strongest at the sub-solar point," it said in a statement. Solar flares may potentially offset power grids, disrupt communications, and harm astronauts in space. To prevent such disasters, the Sun is under constant surveillance of NASA's STEREO probes and Solar Dynamic Observatory, along with US-Europeans SOHO spacecraft. As observations show, the Sun is currently demonstrating peak activity in its Solar Cycle 24. NASA cameras have captured images of "significant" solar flares emitting from the sun this week. However, the flares, which are powerful bursts of radiation that bring stuff from the sun like gases, plasma and other matters pose no harm to people, Karen Fox, of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center explained in a statement. "Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation," Fox said. "Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground. However, when intense enough, they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel."
Related Links US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) Solar Science News at SpaceDaily
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service. |