The Sun's Magnetic Field is about to Flip: every 11 years!

[Maria]

I'm a simple-minded person. Basically, my question is...so what of it? Will there be something special that will happen?

If a strong CME is earthbound, then yes, it could affect a large area.

Back in 2003, a strong CME hit New York causing massive power outages. Do you remember that one?

If a strong CME were to hit during a summer heat wave, many people would die because it would take quite a long time to get the electric grid up and running again.

Lately, I think we have been protected. Although there have been many CME alerts posted by various agencies, none have proven dangerous. During the remainder of this solar maximum (which includes this magnetic field flip), we must remain in prayers.

[Maria]

• In the image, above, the sun's magnetic field is traced by white curving lines. The coronal hole is where those magnetic field lines have opened up, allowing solar wind to escape. A stream of solar wind flowing from this coronal hole is expected to reach Earth on August 16-18. NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of polar geomagnetic storms when the windy stream arrives.

See the photo accompanying this article at www.spaceweather.com August 14, 2013

[Maria]

Solar activity has increased dramatically today with lots of C-class solar flares from two very active sunspots: 1817 and 1818. The new sunspot 1820 is just coming into view and looks very extensive and menacing.

Lord have mercy.

Look to the left side panel for a view of the sun and sunspots at www.spaceweather.com

[Maria]

C-Class Flares continue.

There should be auroras visible in the lower latitudes ... possibly California will see them.

Source: www.spaceweather.com

[Maria]

sprites over Nebraska 8-12-2013.jpg (64.38 KiB) Viewed 1882 times

This looks like a Jedi battle from Star Wars.

no.

• COLORFUL SPRITES OVER NEBRASKA: "August 12th was another successful night in our sprites campaign," reports Jason Ahrns of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. With a team of researchers from NCAR, he has been flying over the midwestern USA onboard a Gulfstream V in search of exotic forms of lightning. As they were photographing a thunderstorm over Nebraska, these six sprites appeared:

http://www.spaceweather.com

[Maria]

The sun just unleased an M-3 Class Solar Flare.

• SIGNIFICANT FLARE: Sunspot AR1818 erupted on August 17th at 1824 UT, producing a long duration M3-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the action: ...
  It is too soon to say whether Earth is in the line of fire.

Go to www.spaceweather.com for the picture of the huge sunspot.

[Maria]

We have had some CME's that are currently producing spectacular auroras.

Take a look at this midsummer aurora: