[Psml] Scientists Predict Solar Cycle 24 to Peak in 2013

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

Hi, Alan and USPS members.

 

First and foremost, I am NOT any sort of solar expert.

I do believe that the Coronal Mass Ejections can occur

at any time, but are probably most likely during periods

of higher overall solar activity.  Most of these go out

into space and won't have much impact on Earth.  The

ones that cause the REALLY big problems are those that

basically occur facing directly toward Earth.  These can

be BAD NEWS, indeed.

 

Various observatories around the world generally provide

warning of the arrival of such disturbances into the Earth's

magnetosphere.  The "solar wind" does not travel at the

speed of light and therefore, some advance warning is

possible.

 

I would guess that it would behoove us ham radio licensees

to disconnect our antennas in advance of the arrival of any

of these events.  Modern solid-state electronic gear does

not shrug off this stuff.  The actual devices are likely to be

destroyed by even a momentary surge of energy beyond

their rated voltages.

 

I would recommend the same action for "consumer" devices

that are connect to outside antennas.

 

 

Best regards,

 


** D C "Mac" Macdonald ** 
* m/v Another Adventure * 
** '95 Carver 355 ACMY ** 
* Grand Lake - Oklahoma * 
** AGLCA (#217) & USPS ** 
* US Air Force, Retired * 
** Amateur Radio K2GKK ** 


 



 
 
* In my many years, I have come to the conclusion that one useless *
* man is a shame, two is a law firm and three or more is Congress. *

* -- John Adams (1735- 1826) *

 




 


From: AWentworth at aol.com
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 21:07:49 -0400
Subject: Re: [Psml] PSML Digest, Vol 32, Issue 5
CC: psml at usps.org
To: k2gkk at hotmail.com


Mac,
 
Thanks for the clarification of the sun-spot cycle. We are in a low period of activity, no doubt. Certainly the astronauts would be at greater radiation risk in their attempts to repair Hubble if the sun-spot cycle was more active.
 
Got a question about this topic. It was my impression that the "solar storms" strong enough to silence radio signals, GPS, and interfere with power grids were usually "C.M.E."s or cosmic mass ejections... events much larger in scope and more violent than sun-spot activity. The question is about whether the occurrence of C.M.E.s parallel the sun-spot activity cycle or whether they occur either on their own schedule or at random. I am not aware that their occurrence is predictable with any certainty...thoughts?
 
Thanks,
 
Alan Wentworth, WB9PWX
 

In a message dated 5/13/2009 11:01:05 A.M. Central Daylight Time, psml-request at usps.org writes:
Today's Topics:

   1. Scientists Predict Solar Cycle 24 to Peak in 2013
      (D C *Mac* Macdonald)




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