An unusual triple whammy of solar outbursts, including one scientists call a cannibal, began hitting Earth this afternoon and is likely to bring the curtain up on spectacular aurora performances starting tonight. Events like this bring a risk of radio blackouts and satellite damage, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric […]
JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard reminds boaters not to use flares as fireworks during this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, and to report accidental flare discharges. Flares should only be fired to indicate distress in an emergency situation. Flares can be life-saving equipment and should be used if there is distress and assistance is […]
Among the most feared events in space physics are solar eruptions, massive explosions that hurl millions of tons of plasma gas and radiation into space. These outbursts can be deadly: if the first moon-landing mission had encountered one, the intense radiation could have been fatal to the astronauts. And when eruptions reach the magnetic field […]