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(meteorobs) SCIENTIST WARN OF SOLAR STORMS/off subject
Scientists Warn of Solar Storm
By JOSEPH B. VERRENGIA
.c The Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. (April 7) - Government scientists detected a major solar flare
Friday and warned that geomagnetic storms could disrupt communications and
knock out electrical power.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecast of moderate
solar storm activity was in effect through midday Saturday EDT.
No immediate disruptions were reported as a result of the turbulence.
The sun is approaching the height of its 11-year cycle, although the peak had
been relatively quiet until now.
The storm was rated at a moderate G-2 level on the federal government's new
space weather scale of 1 to 5. Initially, the storm spiked to G-4, or severe.
Forecasters said the intense part of the storm should end late Friday, but
there was a chance of another outbreak on Sunday.
Scientists said the storm originated Tuesday morning, although what triggered
the storm was not immediately known. A cloud of electrically charged
particles hurled from the sun rode the solar wind and reached Earth's
magnetic field midday Thursday.
Eric Ort, a space weather forecaster, said he received reports from Dublin,
Ireland, the display of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, was
spectacular as a result of the solar storm.
The Space Weather Operations Center is jointly operated by NOAA and the Air
Force.
AOL News
Brenda
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