A Giant Breach In Earth's Magnetic Field

[LadyPakal]

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/16...h.htm?list91627

Looks ike this coming solar cycle could be interesting as far as aurora go.

'NASA's five THEMIS spacecraft have discovered a breach in Earth's magnetic field ten times larger than anything previously thought to exist. Solar wind can flow in through the opening to "load up" the magnetosphere for powerful geomagnetic storms.'

'The years ahead could be especially lively. Raeder explains: "We're entering Solar Cycle 24. For reasons not fully understood, CMEs in even-numbered solar cycles (like 24) tend to hit Earth with a leading edge that is magnetized north. Such a CME should open a breach and load the magnetosphere with plasma just before the storm gets underway. It's the perfect sequence for a really big event.'

[Beverley Lass]

How interesting !

Oh please, please let that happen.

I soooo want to witness a decent aurora .. even once.

BL

[Gray-Wolf]

I read this yesterday also.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/...81215121601.htm

It would appear that the boundary between Earth's upper atmosphere and space has moved to extremely low altitudes......I wonder if there is a connection?

[Cookie]

I watched a prefect disaster show that had solar wind etc destroying most electrical things, scary stuff