Solar Radiation Storm - Five Days in a Row Energetic Protons from the Sun are Raining Down on Earth

For the fifth day in a row, energetic protons from the sun are raining down on Earth. However, the storm is subsiding. It is now a minor S1-class event. The Solar Radiation Event that began on 9 Feb, slowly decreased through 11 Feb, then became enhanced again on 13 Feb, continues at S1 storm levels. This event is likely to continue up to early hours of 15 Feb. There is a slight possibility additional enhancements could be observed if any further flare/CME activity produces supplemental energetic particles (protons). The storm’s one lingering effect is a polar cap absorption event (PCA). Earth’s magnetic field funnels the proton rain toward the poles where their ionizing effect causes the absorption of shortwave radio. The south pole is more strongly effected than the north pole because it is now summer in the south; that side of Earth is tilted into the radiation storm. Thanks for watching! #radiationstorm #solarstorm #polarcapabsorption Images credit: NOAA/SWPC, SOHO/LASCO, nemesis maturity channel Music credit: YouTube Audio Library
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