Solar Storms Disrupt GPS Systems
In the Nicolas Cage film "Knowing" solar flares threaten humanity. We don't have to be concerned fairly so a lot about that right now, but a solar storm is disrupting power supplies and communication satellites and, apparently causing chaos in general internationally. GPS malfunctioning is one of the disruptions most likely to impact the common population. Simply because GPS systems rely on communication satellites to pinpoint your position and guide you to your destination and because communication satellites are going to be on the fritz, your trusted GPS will not be so trustworthy for the duration of the storm.
The present solar storm is component of an active period in the sun's 11-year climate cycle. Astronomers have warned that it is "an extremely active" period and it seems it's getting much more active by the week. The first warnings had been issued in April, when scientists predicted that we would be getting into the biggest solar storm cycle the world has seen for 50 years. Storm activity has been noted from August with the latest disruptions occurring on Monday 13 December 2010.
In addition to the disruption to GPS and communication systems, the latest storm poses a well being danger to astronauts on the International Space Station. Regardless, scientists have recommended that rather than panic, people should appreciate the spectacle of the aurora borealis of the Northern and Southern Lights, which are especially striking throughout times of intense solar activity. Of course, those of us who don't live anywhere close to the poles will just have to take their word for it.
Reminiscent of an additional disaster movie, "2012", in two years' time we can expect to see even much more beautiful Northern Lights and more GPS, mobile phone and energy disruptions as the sun experiences a "solar maximum" when the 11-year cycle will reach its most active period. It's been suggested the Northern Lights will be so bright that they will be visible from Rome.
Rather than becoming passive observers, the public has been permitted and even encouraged to help scientists track the storms and solar activity. Solar Stormwatch is an initiative by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich it has its personal website on offers a solar activity tutorial that shows members what they need look for. Members use NASA's STEREO spacecraft to maintain an eye on solar activity and when they spot a storm they need to post an alert on Stormwatch, which then requests other members to assist monitor it. The information generated is used to predict when the storm is anticipated to reach Earth. Using Stormwatch it's feasible to predict storms up to three days in advance.
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