Space Weather Scales
Geomagnetic, Solar Radiation & Radio Blackouts
Below are the hazard scales for space weather, separated into 3 cateogories:
Geomagnetic, Solar Radiation, and Radio Blackout.
Every 11 or so years the Sun goes through her 'angry phase' or the solar maximum, in which she spits out a whole lot of energy and radiation. Solar storms cause many different things to happen including the widely known Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis (or Northern & Southern Lights), weather changes, geomagnetic storms, radiation storms, and radio blackouts. In rare cases a solar storm can even cause an Solar Flare EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse / Solar Flare) which can knock down electricity grids and more. See: Solar Storm 1859 - The Carrington Event.
The sun can be monitored at www.SPACEWEATHER.com which has a variety of different features which can help you in keeping track of what the sun is spewing at us. The next solar maximum can occur between 2018 and 2023, so you have a bit of time to figure it all out :)
Below are the hazard scales for space weather, separated into 3 cateogories:
Geomagnetic, Solar Radiation, and Radio Blackout.
Fun Fact:
The largest solar flare happened on November 4th, 2003 and measured a huge X45!
For more information on solar flare classification see:
