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Level S4 solar radiation event

swpc.noaa.gov

81–90 of 205 posts

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#81
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am not an expert, but it’s worth noting that the kp index has a maximum value of 9. So though the Carrington event had a kp of 9, its intensity on the related (but not capped) HP30/HP60 scale [1] would likely have been higher. [1] https://kp.gfz.de/en/hp30-hp60

Queue Chernobyl documentary clip measuring the radiation as low because that’s as high the meter went

3.6 roentgen. Not great, not terrible!

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#83
post #11

If anyone is interested in what "G4" means in context, here's the scale: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

> Biological: Unavoidable radiation hazard to astronauts on EVA; passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at high latitudes may be exposed to radiation risk.

Anyone have a sense of magnitude for this advisory? How much more radiation should an airline passenger expect to receive during a G4 event than normal?

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#84
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With how much modern cars rely on electronics, I would not try to drive during such an event.

No one would drive to the pub anyway. Better walking back home…

Valid. I think I have such an ingrained different set of assumptions (a pub being just another kind of place for food, and "going to" anything involving a form of transportation) that that didn't even occur to me.

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#85
post #11

If anyone is interested in what "G4" means in context, here's the scale: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

We are at kp 8.67. The Carrington event was a kp 9

Have we been having these more recently?

I don't ever recall seeing these in the news so frequently. It feels like there are several a year now. A decade ago, never.

And I also never remember seeing Aurora at my latitudes.

Do we just have better sensing now, or is there some cycle on a period longer than a few years? Or maybe I'm crazy and just never noticed.

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#86
post #83
post #11

If anyone is interested in what "G4" means in context, here's the scale: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

> Biological: Unavoidable radiation hazard to astronauts on EVA; passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at high latitudes may be exposed to radiation risk. Anyone have a sense of magnitude for this advisory? How much more radiation should an airline passenger expect to receive during a G4 event than normal?

roughly up to 5-10 times the normal dose.

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#87
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We are at kp 8.67. The Carrington event was a kp 9

Have we been having these more recently? I don't ever recall seeing these in the news so frequently. It feels like there are several a year now. A decade ago, never. And I also never remember seeing Aurora at my latitudes. Do we just have better sensing now, or is there some cycle on a period longer than a few years? Or maybe I'm crazy and just never noticed.

We've just passed the 11 year peak - the sun spot activity has a period of around 11 years.

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#88
Any tips on best practices in how one can protect homelab rigs from a Carrington level event? Let's say we were given two days notice that the mother of all S4s was inbound. Just switch everything off?

What if one of my homelabs needed 100% uptime to meet my wife's SLA for messaging? Is this able to be protected?

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#90
post #11

If anyone is interested in what "G4" means in context, here's the scale: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

G4: " Induced pipeline currents affect preventive measures, HF radio propagation sporadic..." G5: " Pipeline currents can reach hundreds of amps, HF (high frequency) radio propagation may be impossible in many areas for one to two days..."

"Cool! What's G13 do?" - Bill Hicks

Looks like G5 is the highest level and the scale system is used by NOAA.

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