I was hoping for another look at the aurora last night, but the sky socked in with a deep overcast toward midnight. Oh well.

Re airliners: this article suggests that the rerouting of airliners from their normal polar routes was due to communication issues.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/25/...ve-solar-storm/

Out of curiosity, would a PLU be affected, say, in the southern hemisphere? I only ask because I'm planning several multi-day hikes in New Zealand next year...

Bump!

Looks like we're heading into a very active cycle. Not a big concern, just some very interesting night skies.

Check out the photo in this local news story:

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Danc...1361/story.html

Here we go again!

The sun kicked out two big solar flares/CMEs. The first is scheduled to reach Earth on Thursday, March 8.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/News030712-X5-4.html

we're all gonna die!

time to start the panic.

My local ARES group sent out a couple of well thought-out emails on the subject. This CME is likely to have significant impact on HF propagation. Satellites may be disrupted, and there's a possible radiation hazard to high-altitude aircraft. However, the solar weather forecasters appear to have changed their minds about its likely impact upon long power transmission wires.

LOL! I'm taking off my tinfoil hat and wearing an ammo can instead!

ROTF!! That just made my day!

We had some weird power flickers here this morning and one of my co-workers was convinced that Bob's theory is bang on. I said something to the effect of taking cover. She didn't appreciate it very much.