Space Weather Alerts -- now

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 1673
Issue Time: 2010 May 17 1204 UTC

CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 1672
Begin Time: 2010 May 03 1235 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 3837 pfu


This event from NOAA has persisted for 2 weeks now. So are we getting toasted in the sun. I am not sure if this is a realtime measurement, or if The message typically come at a predictable time when a measurement is taken. The data doesn't give a target geography, but would be nice to know a little more about changes in the polarities changes of the interplanetary magnetic field. It's a crappy measurement because the GOES sat is in geosynchronous orbit and we cannot tell the geography effected. Event happen like this all the time, but hard to tell who is on the bow of the wx.

reply to post by mapsurfer_

We are not getting toasted. Unless you have a satellite in orbit there isn't much to be concerned about. This is pretty normal activity.

It is well established that high-energy (relativistic) electrons can cause deep dielectric charging of satellites, which can in turn lead to spacecraft upsets and/or complete satellite failures [Reagan et al, 1983; Baker et al, 1987].

www.swpc.noaa.gov...

Electron Events can persist for days, but the flux values observed at geosynchronous orbit follow a strong diurnal cycle due to the geometry of the Earth’s magnetic field. Maximum values generally occur near local noon locations on the daytime side of the Earth. ALERTS for Electron Events are therefore issued once per "satellite day" based on data from SWPC's primary GOES satellite, when electron fluxes have exceeded the event threshold (1000 pfu).

www.swpc.noaa.gov...

The electrons are trapped in the magnetosphere there is no "target geography". The high energy electrons do not reach the Earths' surface.

You can access IMF data here:
www.srl.caltech.edu...

[edit on 5/17/2010 by Phage]