Solar activity may cause problems this week

Solar activity may cause problems this week
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?n&storyid=9322

It's only another 10 to 50 billion tonnes worth of solar plasma headed
our way, and thank the lord of random happenstance, most of that CME
should miss us because Earth is so small compared to that CME volume
which is so big, so perhaps at most we=92ll get directly nailed by
0.1<0.5 billion tonnes (roughly 1% of the total mass). What could
possibly go wrong?

However, besides a few EMF caused disruptions to our global
communications, navigation and various sensitive infrastructure, we
should expect increased lightning and subsequent fires, and perhaps
even if rabbi Saul's home burns to the ground (with him in it),
nothing of any real importance will happen.

~ BG

Brad Guth wrote:

But I think that you have to consider the size of our magnetosphere, not
merely our atmosphere. (Not that I know the size ratio.)

Mike.
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where needed.

That's true, whereas that Magnetosphere is what matters because it is
always associated with Earth, though perhaps fading at 0.1%/year.
http://www2.nict.go.jp/y/y223/simulation/realtime/

I'd doubt we'd ever have to contend with more than 10% of whatever CME
has to offer. Obviously a damaged magnetosphere would have long-term
negative consequences, as well as increased risk for those onboard
ISS.

~ BG

Hi
I wonder if this could have had anything to do with my FM going
out on my radio last evening. All I get now is static :-(
Dwight