All Articles Tagged As: coronal mass ejections

The new solar cycle starts with a 'bang' (1/15/2008)

The appearance of a very special solar spot on the sun surface a few days ago, signalled to scientists around the world that a new solar cycle had begun. This solar spot also produced two solar blasts. ...> Full Article

Sunspot Is Harbinger Of New Solar Cycle, Increasing Risk For Electrical Systems (1/9/2008)

A new 11-year cycle of heightened solar activity, bringing with it increased risks for power grids, critical military, civilian and airline communications, GPS signals and even cell phones and ATM transactions, showed signs it was on its way late Thursday when the cycle's first sunspot appeared in the sun's Northern Hemisphere, NOAA scientists said. ...> Full Article

The Sun's Coming Back, and We'll Be Ready for It! (12/10/2007)

The Sun is minimally active right now, but this quiet state of affairs won't last for long. Over the next few years, the number of solar flares and eruptions known as coronal mass ejections will increase until reaching solar maximum in 2011 or 2012. Such eruptions can impact Earth, disrupting satellites, communications, and even power grids. Some predict the next solar cycle will be the most intense in 50 years. As a result, scientists are striving to understand the mechanism behind solar eruptions in hopes of eventually being able to predict them in a space "weather forecast." ...> Full Article

Instrument to make detailed measurements of sun activity (12/8/2007)

Tom Nichols, a mechanical engineer at Lockheed Martin in Palo Alto, works on the HMI. ...> Full Article