What a mess!! ...oh well. http://ens.lycos.com/ens/jan2000/2000L-01-03-02.html

-- RAT (eyesopen@watcher.com), January 04, 2000

Answers

link

-- Teague Harper (tharper@cyberhighway.net), January 04, 2000.

Thanks for the reminder.

-- james hyde (hydesci@gte.net), January 04, 2000.

(Fair/Educational Use, yada, yada, yada...)

Space Weather Watchers Warn of Geomagnetic Storms

GOLDEN, Colorado, January 3, 2000 (ENS) - Geomagnetic storms that could cause power blackouts, disruptions in communications and satellite failures are predicted for early this year, according the U.S. Geological Survey, the United States agency primarily responsible for tracking geomagnetic activity. . . .

When charged particles from the Sun collide with the Earth's magnetic field geomagnetic storms arise. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says the next peak in sunspot activity is expected to occur in early 2000. Magnetic storms are not rare, but great storms like the one forecast for early this year are, says Don Herzog, a USGS geophysicist.

It is geomagnetic storms that produce beautiful Northern lights, but they can also pose a serious threat for commercial and military satellite operators, power companies, astronauts, and they can even shorten the life of oil pipelines in Alaska by increasing pipeline corrosion, the USGS warns. . . .

The last great magnetic storm occurred exactly 11 years ago this coming March 13 at 3 am EST. That storm caused the collapse of the Hydro-Quebec power system in Canada, leaving about six million people without power. If the storm had struck a few hours later than it did, the blackout would likely have been much worse because of the heavier power consumption during daytime hours.

The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) produces daily forecasts on the likelihood of a major solar flare. These predictions are charted on the_NASA_Spaceweather_website. . . .

"The big difference for us is our increasing dependence on technology in general and on space-based technology in particular. Certainly it's not going to wipe out the planet although it may affect a satellite or two," Hathaway said. . . .

The USGS operates a network of 13 magnetic observatories that continuously monitor the Earths magnetic field. The USGS provides this valuable geomagnetic data to a wide variety of users and organizations that can be affected by a geomagnetic storm. The data are collected in near-real time via satellite to a downlink center located in Golden, Colorado. They are then sent to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Space Command Center for use in their operational models that characterize the near-space environment surrounding the Earth, and to NOAAs Space Environment Center for distribution to their extensive customer list. . . .

The data are made available on the Internet at http://geomag.usgs.gov and by email request from the website.

The USGS produces models of the Earths magnetic field that are used in military and civilian navigational systems and in research for studies of the effects of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere, atmosphere, and near-space environment.

) Environment News Service (ENS) 2000. All Rights Reserved.

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), January 04, 2000.

I'll be damned if i tell anyone of it.........lol

-- kevin (innxxs@yahoo.com), January 04, 2000.

There was a guy on Art Bell about a year ago talking about this. Said these storms would wipe out most of earth by October 2000. I filed it with all the other predictions I hear on Art Bell that never come true...

-- Hope Full (notareal@address.com), January 04, 2000.