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Van Allen Belts, Doomed Satellites, Todays Announcement ?
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Sun's 'Superstorms' Could Doom Satellitesby Charles Q. Choi, SPACE.com ContributorDate: 27 September 2011 Time: 12:30 PM ET image CREDIT: NASA/SDO
I used a pin to get this out , this effects airplanes too.
This is a NEW ARTICLE [link to www.space.com] cut, Magnetic storms set off by the sun could pose a bigger threat than thought to weather, communication, military and other satellites close to Earth, with a potentially devastating economic impact, scientists suggest.
In the new study, researchers found that solar radiation can energize a belt of high-energy particles that surrounds Earth more dramatically than previously believed....
Scientists had known the outer belt could become far more intense during geomagnetic storms caused by high-energy particles spewed by the sun, such as the storm that supercharged Earth's northern lights display Monday night (Sept. 26). However, they have long thought such storms do not affect the inner belt.
Now computer simulations suggest that during a "superstorm" — which has occurred in the past and is likely to recur in the future ? the electrons in the inner belt, too, could become energized. Near-Earth radiation could then remain dramatically more intense for several years afterward.
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Lightning is known to clear the belts. According to one article I read it is claimed that entire Continents could be set on fire from overcharged Van Allen Belts. These belts are charged by radiation both from the sun and from the ground. Japan's nuclear accident happening at the same time as solar maxium may have really gave them a one-two punch.
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