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Solar storm.

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 11:01 pm
by G-CPTN
A solar storm travelling at 1.8 million km per hour will hit Earth on Sunday (May 2).

How can they tell that this storm is aimed at Earth?
Does the same 'face' of the Sun always point towards Earth?

Re: Solar storm.

Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:30 am
by PHXPhlyer
Better batten down the hatches on your satellite.

PP

Re: Solar storm.

Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 7:04 am
by emjay
........Does the same 'face' of the Sun always point towards Earth?

Yes indeed - about 27 days per rotation. Confusingly, since it is a large blob of gas/plasma, the "spin" is not constrained to be uniform. This results in the equatorial band (where the sunspots and flares are frequently found) spinning faster than the poles.

(*)

Re: Solar storm.

Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 10:07 am
by Undried Plum
G-CPTN wrote:
Sat May 01, 2021 11:01 pm
A solar storm travelling at 1.8 million km per hour will hit Earth on Sunday (May 2).

How can they tell that this storm is aimed at Earth?
Does the same 'face' of the Sun always point towards Earth?
They have an observing spacecraft which is positioned directly between Earth and Sun. Any CME which hits it, will hit us.

This particular one is very minor. Dunno why the tabloids even bother to mention it.

Re: Solar storm.

Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:05 pm
by k3k3
This particular one is very minor. Dunno why the tabloids even bother to mention it.

Is it the same colour as some very expensive wallpaper?