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November 9, 2000 — A severe solar radiation storm is in progress and will continue through the weekend, according to NOAA's Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo. The storm was observed beginning on November 8, at 6:50 EST, and has reached a level of S4 on the NOAA Space Weather Scales. The storm, one of the largest of this solar cycle, has peaked but will continue to be a factor over the next several days. (Animation courtesy of NASA/European Space Agency SOHO satellite.)

Solar radiation storms can reach Earth very quickly and cause effects such as low-level radiation for commercial jet crews flying at high latitudes, and can also adversely affect the operation of satellites. NASA and NOAA satellites have already experienced and will continue to experience some degradation of images. This severe radiation storm could also pose a hazard to the astronauts on the International Space Station.

A partial halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was associated with the event, sending billions of tons of electrically charged particles into space. A moderate geomagnetic storm (G-2 on the NOAA Space Weather Scales) may follow this event, arriving over the weekend. Aurora may be visible over Southern Canada and the northern part of the U.S. as a result of this storm. (Click image for larger view.) [Image is a depiction of the systems that could be affected by a strong solar storm.]

Effects Associated with a Severe Solar Radiation Storm or S4 on the NOAA Space Weather Scales

Biological: unavoidable radiation hazard to astronauts on EVA; elevated radiation exposure to passengers and crew in commercial jets at high latitudes (approximately 10 chest x-rays) is possible.

Satellite operations: may experience memory device problems and noise on imaging systems; star-tracker problems may cause orientation problems, and solar panel efficiency can be degraded.

Other systems: blackout of HF radio communications through the polar regions and increased navigation errors over several days are likely.

For future updates, consult the NOAA's Space Environment Center
Look under Space Weather Now, Space Weather Bulletin for the current bulletin.

For information on the NOAA Space Weather Scales, check the top of the SEC Web site under Space Weather Now.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's Space Weather

NOAA's Space Environment Center

NOAA's Space Weather Scales

NOAA Space Weather Advisories

Today's Space Weather Forecast — Includes the latest image of the sun from Earth-based telescopes positioned around the world.

Real-time images of the Sun from NASA's SOHO Satellite

SPACE WEATHER - WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT?

Media Contact:
Barbara McGehan, NOAA Space Environment Center, Boulder, Colo., at (303) 497-6288 or Jana Goldman, NOAA Research, at (301) 713-2483 ext. 181