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Level S4 solar radiation event

swpc.noaa.gov

151–160 of 205 posts

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#151
post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

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

I hear that bit in my head every time a new plane or weapon designation is announced, glad to hear it stuck with others too.

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#153
post #134

I missed it (seeing the Aurora) .. are there any reliable alerts for this sort of event, that do not alert me about anything else, but really only such big events?

One caveat is, that these events cannot be forecasted in the same way as weather on earth can. You usually only have a lead time of 15 - 45 minutes. See also https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/aurora-tutorial

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#154
post #143
post #11

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

The scale seems capped at a pretty low upper end? It feels like with all the mindbogglingly huge numbers usually involved when talking about space, there must be much, much worse events possible. Is it just that we don't know enough about them due to lack of experience that these aren't included?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrington_Event

But having been in 1859 we only have estimates on what the consequences would be in the modern world. But pretty grim at the looks of it.

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's pretty subtle right now here in NL but I can still see it with the naked eye. Mostly greenish haze that fades in and out.

ahh I just went outside (south of Utrecht) and saw nothing. Maybe too much light pollution.

I'm lucky in that I was close to the IJsselmeer.

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#156
post #134

I missed it (seeing the Aurora) .. are there any reliable alerts for this sort of event, that do not alert me about anything else, but really only such big events?

One caveat is, that these events cannot be forecasted in the same way as weather on earth can. You usually only have a lead time of 15 - 45 minutes. See also https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/aurora-tutorial

Sure. But if I am awake, those 15 minutes are enough to get dressed and go outside.

Yesterday I just would have had to walk to the balkony to see it, but I was busy with some frustrating coding problem instead ..

Re: Level S4 solar radiation event

#157
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh wow! https://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/ederplan/2026/01/20/0000 And up at the top right, left to "Latest" you can skip the time back and forth at 10 minute intervals. And then jump back like 10 images, what a beauty. You can even see Starlink satellites https://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/ederplan/2026/01/19/1820

Possibly the most brilliant are around: - https://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/ederplan/2026/01/19/2230 - https://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/ederplan/2026/01/19/2240 Incredible, thanks so much!

Crazy how many starlink satellite trains can be seen here. I spotted 4 trains, in that one cam
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