Solar Flares Reach Earth

Picture from NASA via Associated Press

In the last few days, four regions of the Sun surface were very active. One region presented a very complex magnetic configuration, while the rest of the active regions presented relatively simple configurations. During the last 48 hours, solar activity of moderate-to-large intensity was registered with two class X events (one was a maximum X5), and also events of class M and C. Two Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) occurred in March 4 and 5 reached the Earth this (Thursday) morning, March 8 at 11 UT (7 AST), and large variations in the Earth's magnetic field and energetic particle precipitation into the poles are expected. These should produce aurora borealis and australis at high latitudes, and the could also produce an expansion of the oval auroral, meaning it could be possible to see the aurora at lower latitudes than normal.

For the Caribbean region, large variations in the ionosphere are expected. Historical registers of disturbed periods have shown that during geomagnetic storms (caused by the interaction of the solar wind with the earth magnetic field) the ionosphere warms and the electron concentration increases. Upper atmospheric winds are affected after dark. As to effects on the ground, we do not expect anything serious. There may be interruptions in satellite services, such as GPS and communications, including satellite TV.

Dr. Jonathan Friedman
Sr. Research Associate
Arecibo Observatory ��