Yikes! We’re smack dab in the middle of the biggest solar storm since 2005. Streams of radiation from the sun (in the form of protons) are right now zipping across earth’s magnetic field, probably throwing a monkey wrench into high-frequency communications and GPS signals and the power grid.
According to the experts, this latest event started Sunday night when a blast of radiation shot out of a troublesome sunspot. An enormous explosion of plasma ensued, pushing a wave of energized protons before it. This huge blob of gas (they’re not all in Washington, apparently) is speeding our way at 4.5 million mph.
And that’s bad. The faster the plasma cloud travels, the bigger the impacts on our fair planet. This particular cloud is making the 93-million-mile trip in 34 hours, a much snappier pace than the usual two or more days.
Should we get under our desks? Run for the bomb shelter? Heck, no, says an official at NASA’s Space Weather Laboratory. On the contrary, much of North America could get some lovely auroras out of the deal tonight.
Whoopee.
Will we glow in the dark when this is over? That’s what I want to know. And what’s the recommended spf for a solar storm of this intensity? Personally, I don’t want to glow in the dark. Looking in the mirror would be like looking through night vision goggles. I’d be a ghostly green blur that blinked. But, on the plus side, I’d be my own nightlight. Yay!
Regarding the sunscreen, we can always use protection from the sun’s harmful rays. And from the sound of it, these could be doozies. Just how high do spf numbers go, anyway? Three digits? Four? How should we apply it? With a shovel?
On second thought, maybe today’s a good day to stay inside — make soup or read a book. I’m definitely not doing any traveling, not without a reliable GPS signal. There’s not a search party in the world who’d ever find me. No matter how brightly I glowed in the dark.
UPDATE| The last wave of radiation passed Earth early Tuesday afternoon. After it was all said and done, the National Weather Service rated the storm a 2 (on a scale of 1 to 5). So much for the warnings that this would be the biggest solar storm since 2005.
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the whirly girl 
11 responses to “: it’s an spf 9,000 sort of day :”
Gotta love the auroras.
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You certainly do.
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Hmm? I had a weird dream last night about the Golden Gate Bridge toppling over because of a tsunami type wave . . . . Mayan calendars, solar storms, weird tsunami dreams . . . Sounds like a good excuse to go off my diet.
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Why is it when other people say “oh, pretty,” I say “oh, sh*t”?
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Is this a riddle?
Okay, I’ll bite. Why?
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No riddle. Just me being a nut. Every type of natural phenomenon makes me want to run for the hills and hide. We’ve been experiencing a lovely, mild winter in my state and instead of enjoying it, I’ve convinced myself the sun is about to burn out :)
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You’re a trip, Angie! The sun isn’t expected to burn out until next year.
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I got the head’s up on this via Twitter, because I follow NOAA. (Yes, I am a geek, Lisa. Whatever.) Seeing the Northern Lights is amazing – I was fortunate to see an incredible display when I was in Nova Scotia many years ago. Reports have already come in regarding the Northern Lights.
With regards to glowing, I don’t think you’ll have to worry. You’re more likely to be fried to a crisp. Yes, I know, I thought you’d find comfort in that fact. (smile) Lather up on the SPF! And make sure you are getting UVA and UVB protection!
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So you’re a geek, eh? That’s awesome. I follow Letterman on Twitter, I don’t know what that says about me. Probably nothing good.
I hope the Northern Lights come this far south, that would be pretty cool. It’s possible, I suppose. It’s just as possible you’ll be able to see them again.
Keep your eyes peeled, LD.
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Excellent, i shall set up shop out on the roof tonight and look for interesting stuff! c
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Good luck, celi, I hope you get a spectacular show.
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