The eruption that produced yesterdays M7 flare and CME also - TopicsExpress



          

The eruption that produced yesterdays M7 flare and CME also created a particle storm (a minor S1 on NOAAs scale of 1-5.) These particles (mostly protons) can be seen hitting the CCD on the LASCO cameras (the instrument that recorded the CME blasting away from the sun.) These high energy solar particles called a Solar Energetic Particle event or SEP are traveling near the speed of light. So these particles reach Earth not long after the light from the solar flare (light takes 8 minutes.) Larger SEP events can temporarily disrupt radio communications near the poles and they can also be dangerous to astronauts, who are outside the protection of Earths thick atmosphere. credit: NASA/ESA/SOHO/SDO/helioviewer
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 16:26:29 +0000

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