I find it odd that these smaller events from this cycle attract so much attention.

I followed events of the last solar cycle, starting in 1999 on my 56k modem and the magnitude of events from that cycle has served as a benchmark to me for this one. (X20, X23, X32....flares so big on last cycle they suggested using new 'Y' class category)
However, I'm seeing headlines appearing in the National news when we get ANY X Class flare, and some of these headlines talking of auroras at lower latitudes have produced the goods.

I wonder if this is because of the CME's being of increased density? Or perhaps the earth's magnetic shield if weakened and allows more matter through which would otherwise have been deflected?

I wish I'd kept all of the info I had from cycle 23 for comparison, seems like it was a very different world back then.

Just a piece of trivia, the flare that triggered the Carrington Event was estimated by some solar science website to be X70+

.......If GLP had existed in 1859, I expect the mood would've been close to mass-hysteria by the time the associated CME hit 17 hours later.


How many would've grabbed their bug-out bags and headed for the Ozarks to join the Terral-gang!


Peace people