The NASA space observatory witnessed an unusual solar flare that could potentially cause some disruptions to Earth satellites, communications and power grids over the next day or so.
The solar flare was the largest unleashed from the Sun since 2006. NASA's solar dynamics observatory said that while the flare will cause a geomagnetic storm it will not be severe as the flare was not directly in line with Earth.
The Space Weather Prediction Center said the event is "expected to cause G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) levels of geomagnetic storm activity tomorrow, June 8, beginning around 1800 GMT."
The M-2 (medium-sized) solar flare had a substantial mass ejection from the corona that is visually spectacular. A large cloud of particles rushed up from the surface and fell back down and it looked like it nearly covered half the solar surface according to observing NASA scientists.
Space weather analysts are closely observing any collisions between the Earth and the Sun's magnetic fields as a result of the solar flare. The National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center described it as a "dramatic eruption" that was expected to cause G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) levels of Geomagnetic Storm activity, beginning around 4am AEST.
The geomagnetic storm could cause disruptions in satellites that operate GPS and other devices. Some flights might have to be rerouted over the polar regions for safety reasons. The flare could also interfere with satellites either in the satellite itself or with the signal coming to the receiver.
Amateur astronomers would be able to observe the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and aurora australis (Southern Lights) in the late hours of June 8 or 9.
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/159326/20110608/solar-flare-space-communication-gps.htm
Be interesting to see if we do get to see the aurora australis. Didn't they say last time one of these decent size flares went off the hole world will get a light show but nothing came of it.
