How does something like this affect power grids?
Watch this page: http://www.sec.noaa.gov/SWN/index.html
Pay attention to the Magnetic Field Bz component dial.
As it looks at this very moment, it shows a slightly reversed (S) magnetic
field relative to earth's N/S magnetic poles.
If this trend continues geomagnetic activity will increase.
See http://www.sec.noaa.gov/SWN/sw_dials.html
Magnetic Field Bz dial:
Ranges from -50 to +50 nT. The dial is a linear scale from -10 to +10 nT and
a different linear scale from -10 to -50 nT and +10 to +50 nT. For values
beyond the maximum and minimum, the arrow will stay pegged at the maximum or
minimum. If the magnetic field data are missing, the arrow will not appear.
The arrow will move to the location on the scale corresponding to the actual
value of the latest 15 minute average of the Bz component of the magnetic
field vector. The letters N and S refer to North and South of the magnetic
equator. The color bar indicates green for positive values, yellow for small
negative values , and red for large negative values of Bz.
Why Bz is so important:
When the interplanetary magnetic field turns south compared to the Earth's
magnetic field, geomagnetic activity will increase. As the Bz (Southward
pointed) value becomes more negative, the associated geomagnetic activity
increases.
Similiar to an EMP?
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/alerts/warnings_timeline.html
WARNING: Geomagnetic K-Index of 6 expected
Valid From: 2006 Dec 14 1405 UTC
Valid To: 2006 Dec 14 2359 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate
WATCH: Geomagnetic A-index of 50 or greater predicted
Valid for UTC Day: 2006 Dec 14
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/SWN/index.html
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio/
I'm no expert in this sort of thing but my understanding is that
voltages are induced of long conductors such as the power grid with its
many miles of lines and oil or gas systems with its many miles of pipes.
These induced voltages can drive destructive currents in the
aforementioned systems.
--
Telamon
Ventura, California
Yes, I'm aware of this web page and I do monitor it. All shortwave
listeners should do this.
--
Telamon
Ventura, California
Amazing. To me, at least.
Conditions here in Uxbridge, MA were very good last (Thursday) night.
Actually I was thinking the best I have had here - I am a newbie so
maybe easily impressed - dunno. Likewise early Thursday at sunup they
were very good. Does yesterday's magnetic index support the clear long
bands I had here?
73
NEO