Friday, January 27th, 2012

How ‘Space Weather’ Affects Planes And Power Grids

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Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the flare, shown here in a teal color. The flare began at 10:38 PM ET on Jan. 22, peaked at 10:59 PM and ended at 11:34 PM. Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA.

This week solar flares sent a huge blast of X-rays and charged particles screaming towards the Earth. Solar astronomer David Hathaway and physicist Doug Biesecker discuss the sun’s explosive behavior, and how that ‘space weather’ affects satellites, airplanes and the electric grid.

One effect of the flares was extra-vivid Northern Lights. See some photos taken by listeners below (and add yours too!) and learn more about auroras on our SciArts page.

Guests

David H. Hathaway
Solar Astronomer
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama

Doug Biesecker
Physicist
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center
Boulder, Colorado

Related Links

Segment produced by:Christopher Intagliata

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