Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communications 216
w98 writes "CNN has reported that the 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years may disrupt communications. "Significant solar eruptions are possible in the coming days and there could be disruptions in spacecraft operations, electric power systems, high frequency communications and low-frequency navigation systems," says the article."
Northern lights? (Score:5, Interesting)
I live on 56N12E
Biggest. Flare. Ever. (Score:3, Interesting)
This led to the coolest desktop picture ever [nasa.gov] (2400x2400, about 1 meg, be sure to wear sunglasses).
Cool quote FTA: "Luckily, the flare was not aimed directly towards Earth!"
"low frequency navigation" (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm not positive, but I believe they're referring to ADF beacons, which are not used very much these days, except to confirm VHF beacons, and ADF technology is not terribly reliable (receivers can be fooled by lightning, for example.) Pilots are told to listen to the received audio carrier (which I believe contains a morse code sequence) to make sure they have a valid signal.
Given that GPS was relatively popular in planes even 15 years ago (before they had ILS-certified GPS systems, so GPS has only become more popular) I can't see this being a problem except for some parts of the general aviation community which haven't chosen to install GPS panel-mount units or at least buy a handheld unit.
I suppose they could also be referring to LORAN/LORAN-C (used mostly by boats, save during WW2), but...jesus christ, I hope nobody's still relying on LORAN...maybe as a backup to GPS, sure...but...yikes.
yet another cool image (Score:5, Interesting)