NOAA ISSUES SPACE WEATHER WARNING
May 15, 2005 — Forecasters at the NOAA Space Environment Center in
Boulder, Colo., observed a geomagnetic storm on Sunday, May 15, which
they classified as an extreme event, measuring G-5—the highest
level—on the NOAA Space Weather Scales. (Click image for larger view
of the sun from the SOHO spacecraft of the intense solar activity
taken May 15, 2005, at 7:50 a.m. EDT. Click here to view high
resolution version, which is a large file. Click here to view latest
images. Please credit “SOHO.”)
"This event registered a 9 on the K-Index, which measures the maximum
deviation of the Earth's magnetic field in a given three-hour period,"
said Gayle Nelson, lead operations specialist at NOAA Space
Environment Center. "The scale ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the
highest. This was a significant event."
Possible impacts from such a geomagnetic storm include widespread
power system voltage control problems; some grid systems may
experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience
damage. Spacecraft operations may experience extensive surface
charging; problems with orientation; uplink/downlink and tracking
satellites. Satellite navigation may be degraded for days, and
low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours. Reports received
by the NOAA Space Environment Center indicate that such impacts have
been observed in the United States.
NOAA forecasters said the probability of another major event of this
type is unlikely, however, other minor level (G-1) geomagnetic storms
are possible within the next 24 hours.
This event was forecast by NOAA as the result of a solar flare that
occurred on Friday, May 13.
The NOAA Space Environment Center, one of the NOAA National Centers
for Environmental Prediction, is home to the nation's early warning
system for solar activities that directly affect people and equipment
on Earth and in space. The NOAA Space Environment Center’s 24/7
around-the-clock operations are critical in protecting space and
ground-based assets. Through the SEC, NOAA and the U.S. Air Force
jointly operate the space weather operations center that continuously
monitors, analyzes and forecasts the environment between the sun and
Earth. In addition to the data gathered from NOAA and NASA satellites,
the center receives real-time solar and geophysical information from
ground-based observatories around the world. NOAA space weather
forecasters use the data to predict solar and geomagnetic activity and
issue worldwide alerts of extreme events.
NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to
enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction
and research of weather and climate-related events and providing
environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine
resources.
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