Earth hit with largest solar radiation storm since 2003
This January 23 image captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows an M9-class solar flare erupting on the Sun.
January 24th, 2012
08:56 PM ET

Earth hit with largest solar radiation storm since 2003

Material from a Sunday solar eruption hit the Earth on Tuesday, helping to create the planet's strongest solar radiation storm in more than eight years, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said.

The eruption also has caused a minor geomagnetic storm, expected to continue at least through Tuesday. Together, the storms could affect GPS systems, other satellite systems and radio communications near the poles, the SWPC and NASA said.

The storms prompted some airlines to divert planes from routes near the north pole, where radio communications may be affected and passengers at high altitudes may be at  "a higher than normal radiation risk," the SWPC said.

But solar radiation storms can't harm humans on Earth itself, NASA said.

NASA said the eruption also may spark an unusually large display of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, which may be visible Tuesday night at lower latitudes than normal, perhaps as far south as Michigan or Maine.

Sunday's blast included a solar flare, an intense burst of radiation from the sun, the release of fast-moving radioactive particles, and a coronal mass ejection, which is a release of gas and magnetic fields from the outer sun, NASA said.

Some of the radiation hit earth by Monday, causing a solar radiation storm that the SWPC initially reported as the strongest since January 2005.

But the coronal mass ejection collided with the Earth's magnetic field at 10 a.m. Tuesday, and the "influx of particles from the CME amplified the solar radiation storm," making it the strongest such storm since October 2003, NASA said.

Delta Airlines re-routed transpolar flights Tuesday as a precaution, Delta spokesman Anthony Black said. Four routes from Asia and four from the United States were affected, he said.

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soundoff (161 Responses)
  1. Innocent

    Posted on She's an exceptional gifhter, and a very strong person. I'm very proud of her, and glad of being by her side loving and supporting her. <3

    April 6, 2012 at 8:11 am |
  2. lily

    my car was running funny but what should of been given some thought was how safe were AIR PLANES & WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

    January 26, 2012 at 9:18 pm |
  3. David

    Do you think the government would tell us if the earths core is over cooking and making the bottle ready to pop as in the fanciful 2012 movie??? I know it would cause a lot of chaos but I think I'd like to know if the world was going to split open in 6 months so I can prepare for my end? Do you hear me secret government Blog watches, please relay that to Mr. President.

    January 25, 2012 at 1:01 pm |
  4. Cordula

    Reading through some of these comments. It's kind of sad to be lumped in as a human sometimes. There's intelligence and ignorance and surely something in between, but some of the blatant stupidity here is really quite amusing. That said, before you ask a really stupid question, google it. 😉

    January 25, 2012 at 12:57 pm |
    • Haha!

      YES, EXACTLY!!! 🙂

      January 25, 2012 at 1:36 pm |
  5. CommonSense

    What does the Space Station (and the astronauts/cosmonauts) do in these situations? Does it keep the Earth between itself and the sun? Does it have an exterior coating to protect it? Just wondering ...

    January 25, 2012 at 12:42 pm |
    • The G Man

      From what i have heard and read, they have a pod attached to the ISS that is shielded for these kinds of things. in the event that things get messy, the crew is ordered into this pod. In Worse case, they are able to separate from the ISS and sit in orbit till help arrives..... again this is just what i have read. 🙂

      January 25, 2012 at 12:57 pm |
  6. MajorMonogram

    I told Perry the Platypus to stop Doofensmirtz from creatin his Massejectionator..Dont worry people... I have my best agent on the job.

    January 25, 2012 at 12:40 pm |
  7. Leucadia Bob

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLL0GDv73j0

    January 25, 2012 at 12:30 pm |
    • no

      Stupid.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:35 pm |
      • Geoz

        Thanks.

        January 25, 2012 at 12:58 pm |
    • DannyTV

      There are some diseased minds in this video.

      January 25, 2012 at 2:15 pm |
  8. trekkiegt

    Be careful what you say palintwit – now they're going to try and find the NASA joint and smoke it!

    January 25, 2012 at 12:25 pm |
    • palintwit

      True !

      January 25, 2012 at 12:27 pm |
  9. palintwit

    Engineers studying at the prestigous Sarah Palin University have announced a joint project with NASA (not to be confused with NASCAR) . They are going to launch the world's first orbiting trailer park. The project will be code named "Teabagger Magnet".

    January 25, 2012 at 12:21 pm |
    • Me

      Teabagger magnet .... LOL!

      January 25, 2012 at 12:47 pm |
  10. trekkiegt

    WOW! My super powers have developed due to the radiation! Now I shall be known as "The Spleen!"

    January 25, 2012 at 12:17 pm |
    • oussu

      Pee Wee Herman will be suing you...

      January 25, 2012 at 12:26 pm |
    • rahul

      Elaine,Good job on the bank rating blog setoicn.I like your words to ponder today! Are you suggesting that US is ceasing to grow? We blindly followed our congress and President on those WMDs!Also, I see that in 1990 Pete Rose was sentenced for tax evasion.I really dislike baseball now and don't follow it at all, very hypocritical! Although I think Pete is a jerk in a lot of ways, however, he played the game with passion and he still isn't in the Hall of Fame and he never cheated on the field. However, the baseball commissioner, players and owners have been lying and covering up steroid usage and cheating the fans for years but no ban on them. Oh well, maybe someday Pete!

      April 7, 2012 at 9:31 am |
  11. Reason225

    can we get a bunch of mirrors and such and just focus it all at the Kardashian house?

    I mean, cmon, would anyone miss them?

    January 25, 2012 at 12:16 pm |
    • Die-Easy

      Second question first: Sadly, Yes
      First question second: Sadly, No

      January 25, 2012 at 1:07 pm |
    • Hasher Iva

      Nope, not one damn bit. As a matter of fact you'd probably be awarded the Presidential Medal for the single act that most improved the human race.

      January 25, 2012 at 1:11 pm |
    • DannyTV

      I'm from northern california and you have my permission to focus the mirrors on all of southern california

      January 25, 2012 at 2:04 pm |
  12. 2012LOVER

    You people are the BEST! I needed a good laugh today! I could use several lines you people posted today! Solar ejaculation! Or tin foil hats! WOW...thanks again for the laugh!! BTW- the sky is falling chicken-licken! Dinosaurs will rule the earth! Calm down- there is no end of the earth just stupid people who text while walking!

    January 25, 2012 at 12:13 pm |
  13. Hank

    I drank corona once and had a corona mass ejection...I don't see how people drink that crap...that aint beer

    January 25, 2012 at 12:10 pm |
  14. trekkiegt

    Republicans plan on sending an astronaut to the sun to investigate. When told that he would burn up before he got there, they said "That's OK – we're sending him at night."

    January 25, 2012 at 12:04 pm |
    • Lydia

      trekkiegt, you're wrong, man. That was the Aggies that planned that, not the Republicans. Get your story straight.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:10 pm |
    • Judas Priest

      Ba-dum-bum-TSHH.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:18 pm |
    • Michael

      Democrate don't even know there is a sun. All they know is spend spend.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:19 pm |
      • Brando

        It's "Democrat". Besides, it's the GOP field that raises their hand when asked if they doubt the theory of Evolution. Science is not the friend of the right this day in age. I mean, it's science that will inevitably link Newt Gingrich's DNA to a rotting honey-baked ham too!

        In all seriousness, why can't anyone go anywhere on the internet with out Democrat/Republican finger pointing? This article is about a solar eruption, not friggin' politics.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:17 pm |
    • Geoz

      That's a goodie. I think Boehner is a child of the sun.. or at least the sun-spray. Maybe he could go.

      January 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm |
    • Die-Easy

      @Michael – At least the Dems, try to find some way to pay for things, Republicants just kick the debt down the road so we all have to pay more for it. They are both trying to outspend each other before somebody realizes that there is no one left to pay and nowhere left to borrow from.

      January 25, 2012 at 1:15 pm |
      • Xiomara

        I do believe that Obama is aregat president but he is got to walk the talk .leadership is from God and He has his reasons why He chose him.because when you look back in Obama`s life line you can tell exactly what God had plannned for him .(retriever)And Americans should be very proud to have aleader like him ..just imagine if Museven was the American President.iswear America would be like congo.

        April 9, 2012 at 2:48 am |
  15. trekkiegt

    World ends at 9pm – film at 11.

    January 25, 2012 at 11:59 am |
    • Elizabeth

      All part of the new film theory, or maybe DVD disk world?

      January 25, 2012 at 12:37 pm |
  16. Ric Stevens

    I am PATIENTLY waiting for my SUPER POWERS to Manifest...
    **looks at watch**....
    Yup ... Aaaaany time now.....

    January 25, 2012 at 11:58 am |
    • blf83

      I can feel mine arriving!

      January 25, 2012 at 12:05 pm |
  17. smartaz

    That explains why that third arm sprouted from my torso. Geez guys, thanks for the warning.

    January 25, 2012 at 11:32 am |
  18. ﺶCHEﺶ

    Yeb; I could see some southern white evangelists using these pictures to deceive their followers that the End is here and that they should give him all of their earthly possessions for safe keeping so that he can transfer them by UPS or Fededx to Heaven.
    Yeb guaranteed, all your earthly possessions will be waiting for you at Heaven’s gate by the time you arrive with your name tags on them.

    January 25, 2012 at 11:29 am |
    • ally

      hahaha....that was really funny! 🙂

      The End is near!!!! What a load of crap!

      January 25, 2012 at 11:42 am |
      • labrat

        The end of the world is coming...the when is unknown. When you believe it will happen depends on who you listen too...

        January 25, 2012 at 12:07 pm |
    • Jose

      Why do they have to be white?

      January 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm |
      • George

        Why do they have to be Southern?

        January 25, 2012 at 12:13 pm |
      • Raymond

        Why do they have to be evangelist? Politicians have the same affect on i d i o t s.

        January 25, 2012 at 12:33 pm |
      • Geoz

        Yes... because there are no known southern white evangelicals who believe anything except the one true faith that we should all believe. And yes... they are all in agreement about that faith, so there is no room for doubt. And yes they are victims of oppression by the majority as they war on Christmas, and no you can't stop them because religion is growing faster than ever, don-cha-know. And they should keep their tax free status but don't forget to hate that muslim Obama. That is all.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:02 pm |
  19. joe

    I hope I'm not here in 5 billion years when the sun runs out of fuel.

    January 25, 2012 at 11:29 am |
    • Chris

      We as a species won't live that long. There will many ice ages before then so....

      January 25, 2012 at 11:36 am |
      • Noocrat

        "There will many ice ages before then so."

        Our ancestors survived an ice age. I have a very, very hard time believing our very highly evolved descendants would have much trouble given the rate of technological advancement. Not to mention, our atmospheric control will likely allow us to avoid the changes that lead to an ice age.

        Although, more than likely we will have abandoned Earth as a nomadic species. That or we will have spread like locusts across the galaxy.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:57 pm |
    • Truamerikan

      It's all good. In 1 million years we will have evolved into Vorlons and won't need phycial bodies...just encounter suits.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:24 pm |
  20. HappyMadison

    This is already over. It ended yesterday – why is it front page today?

    January 25, 2012 at 11:27 am |
    • ﺶCHEﺶ

      Glad you asked!
      It's NASA image propaganda for Prez. Obama to issue Corporate Welfare Checks for NASA fat cats.
      Get on the program, buddy!

      January 25, 2012 at 11:38 am |
      • Judas Priest

        Which is exactly why he killed the manned space program, privatized shuttle resupply flights, and slashed the NASA budget. Do us all a favor and put your head back in your rectum.

        January 25, 2012 at 12:20 pm |
      • Bugmenot

        Hey Judas, that's where the dude refreshes 'is brain @ night.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:51 pm |
    • SpacePhD

      Because the CME won't impact the Earth until today.

      January 25, 2012 at 11:53 am |
    • Epidi

      There will be alot of solar storms this year. Many more than in recent years.

      January 25, 2012 at 11:59 am |
    • Truamerikan

      Because it's CNN and they had to get out their daily quota of Apple and Lindsay Lohan stories. Topics that might interest/impact the general public have to take a back seat.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:27 pm |
  21. palintwit

    Astronomers from the famous Sarah Palin Galactic Observatory / Bait Shop working in conjunction with researchers at Sarah Palin University will be holding a press conference later in the day. They claim they have evidence that the earth is the center of the universe and that everything revolves around the earth. This would certainly knock the scientific community on it's ear.

    January 25, 2012 at 11:10 am |
    • objecttothis

      Your last brain cell called. He said he's quitting due to mass stupidity. He asked you to kindly stop talking.

      January 25, 2012 at 11:26 am |
    • Bones

      LOL!

      January 25, 2012 at 11:39 am |
    • rtbrno65

      Since when did they start calling Sarah Palin "the earth"?

      January 25, 2012 at 12:19 pm |
    • Raymond

      NICE !

      January 25, 2012 at 12:36 pm |
      • Heywood

        This is the most ridiculous article I have ever read. WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

        January 25, 2012 at 1:05 pm |
    • Elizabeth

      Full of x-rays... she took the bridge to nowhere and she's climbing the stairway to heaven...

      But seriously, folks, what about all those Innuit in the Arctic and scientists in Antarctica? What protection do they have from the radiation?

      January 25, 2012 at 12:43 pm |
      • Cordula

        The Innuit wouldn't be in the arctic if this were a problem. I mean, this isn't the first time this has happened since the beginning of human life on this planet.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm |
  22. atypical

    worth a look: http://www.hulu.com/watch/295709/mayan-prophecies-and-crop-circles

    January 25, 2012 at 11:07 am |
    • snowboarder

      NOT!

      January 25, 2012 at 11:36 am |
    • ARJUN

      WOW!

      January 25, 2012 at 11:51 am |
  23. Bates

    So this is like cosmic radiation? Where do I stand to get hit by it directly??? I could become a member of the Fantastic 4!

    January 25, 2012 at 10:57 am |
    • Wise Man

      On the sun

      January 25, 2012 at 12:06 pm |
  24. Rick Flare

    Someone say my name? WOOOO!

    January 25, 2012 at 10:55 am |
    • Pluresmens

      ...just amazing! Two thumbs up, best comment on the thread.

      TAKE A BOW SIR!

      January 25, 2012 at 11:15 am |
    • Ibbad

      His performance as President of the USA is pawrseiorthy.He has inspired the World Leaders to create atmosphere for long wanted Peace.But recently his demand for billions of Dollars for finishing war in Afghanistan and Iraq continue to disturb the Asians @ Mid eastern Countries.Since he has been awarded the most prestigious Noble Peace Prize He should work more on dialogues and not much on confontation.The entire world is watching his activities eagerly.People expect from him global peace .His domestic programmes have been so far brought hope and for the people of his Country.It is hoped that he will remain as active as he was in his first year in office.He will work for downtrodden people of the world wherever they are from.Let him be active as ever.

      April 8, 2012 at 11:56 pm |
  25. eopna30

    Could all this solar activity be causing all the crazy sounds in the atmosphere that people are hearing around the world?

    January 25, 2012 at 10:47 am |
    • Rick Flare

      Nope that's just my echo from all my loud WOOOOOing. Wooooo!

      January 25, 2012 at 10:59 am |
    • Aubrie

      I wondered that too... The sounds are very bizarre and frightening tens of thousands of people worldwide. But I find it so strange that the media refuses to cover it... Makes you wonder... Also heard the moon has rotated slightly and there is no explanation...

      January 25, 2012 at 11:20 am |
      • Flamed Out

        I heard that some other people heard that somebody was talking about something. This troubles me deeply.

        January 25, 2012 at 11:48 am |
    • ﺶCHEﺶ

      Nope!
      That's wailing and gnashing of teeth of deranged teabaggers and their impotent, imbecilic GOPer's bad mouthing Prez. Obama and Boo. Did they wake you up?
      The worse of these nuts are yet to come in the next few months. Get yourself a bunch of earplugs from Walmart.

      January 25, 2012 at 11:46 am |
    • Elizabeth

      If you look at the usgs.gov site, on the little globe logo (earthquakes), and click on the South Pacific area, you will see a big fault line in the Pacific at about longitude 110. Those Pacific noises are all at about 100 longitude. Active volcanoes don't usually show up on seismographs, but the release of materials sure could make a noise. Look up the National Geographic too; there are lots of volcanoes underwater. The noise area also happens to be about half-way around the globe from India; it's just the sound of a billion hands clapping. The other theory is Lovecraft's "Chathulu," which he gave a longitude for in the South Pacific.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:51 pm |
  26. Cooked Like a Hotdog

    Does anyone know how long it takes for the sun flare to reach the other?

    January 25, 2012 at 10:46 am |
    • alexmode

      wat ark

      January 25, 2012 at 10:52 am |
    • Elizabeth

      The radiation travels at the speed of light. The materials including more radiation travel at 1,000,000 mph, and the sun is 93,000,000 miles away. That's why in the video, they said to "do the math." 93 hours is about three and two thirds days.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:55 pm |
      • Bugmenot

        3 and 7/8 (.875) duh.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:58 pm |
  27. Cooked Like a Hotdog

    I paid my Billion dollars to get my family a ticket on the ARK. Now Off to China.

    January 25, 2012 at 10:43 am |
    • Truamerikan

      Please don't make it in time.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:32 pm |
  28. Cooked Like a Hotdog

    I paid my Billion dollars to get a ticket on the ARK. Off to China.

    January 25, 2012 at 10:42 am |
    • Truamerikan

      Please do not make it on time.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:32 pm |
  29. mistamistama

    Now for something completely different. Enjoy!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfhA9hQr5TE&feature=related

    January 25, 2012 at 10:41 am |
  30. rtbrno65

    This is a sure sign that the sun has turned gay. It's increasing flamoboyance and foppish mannerisms are a dead giveaway. Someone needs to conver it to Christianity or it will spend it's days in a lake of fire. NASA can shoot Ann Coulter and a Bible into it in order ot save it's sol.

    January 25, 2012 at 10:24 am |
    • momoya

      Hilarious! I second that emotion,

      January 25, 2012 at 10:31 am |
    • Desmond Perado

      Oh, that's good.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:31 am |
    • david

      This just another sign of the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Right on time and oh people, just realize that this is the truth.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:35 am |
      • MrEDude

        i know, this is crazy... Jesus, Santa, the Easter Bunny, and all the other fictional characters are gong to run rampant. total chaos, anarchy even... exit, stage left

        January 25, 2012 at 11:19 am |
    • Michael

      If you haven't yet discovered, that lake of fire, the place of eternal damnation, that's here on earth...

      January 25, 2012 at 10:36 am |
    • JuneCleaversBeaver

      Where's Al Gore to blame the republicans for global warming when something like this happens?

      January 25, 2012 at 10:52 am |
      • horseshaver

        It is the Republicans fault.

        January 25, 2012 at 11:04 am |
      • Jose

        Where is ManBearPig hiding out these days?

        January 25, 2012 at 12:05 pm |
    • ﺶCHEﺶ

      Wow!
      That was funny. You made my day.

      January 25, 2012 at 11:50 am |
    • CommonSense

      Coronal ejection ... eeeww

      January 25, 2012 at 12:11 pm |
  31. Ra

    Honestly, to wave this by as some funny little joke or non-threatening ordeal, is to do so in front of any other life threatening situation. This is a prelude to the sun's solar cycle, when it gets to the end of its cycle, that's the biggest burst yet. And the one predicted to knock us back a few pegs industrially. Every Major provider of most communication services, including CNN / Time Warner, was effected, why do you think they waited until now to post? Enjoy your opinions, while they are still able to be shared to an audience. I'd start making some trust worthy friends if I was you.

    January 25, 2012 at 10:11 am |
    • Trigger

      Someone's a let-down larry

      January 25, 2012 at 10:15 am |
      • Ra

        Just think about this, 1900s, we are mostly running on steam and coal/oil. None of this is controlled via Robotics, ( I.E. Automation ) So los of people are needed, to man rail yards, shipping ports, canals, power, the works. Well fast forward to today, everything that required lots of people to do, is all done via computers. Well, if this solar cycle ends with as big a bang as predicted by nasa, an such, Circuit boards, electrical wires, power relays, transistors, and capacitors the works get overloaded and boom, melt, fizzle or just smoke. All of which means they dont work anymore, well most of the folks that know how to use the older systems, aren't alive anymore, welcome to the collapse of the civility, and a way of things we've known nothing else of.

        January 25, 2012 at 10:26 am |
      • Elizabeth

        Oh no, Ra! Do you mean that the billionaires and trillionaires will have to employ real people to do things? I think most of us can't wait.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm |
    • David, CA

      The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

      January 25, 2012 at 10:25 am |
    • mistamistama

      We're dead in the middle of the Sun's solar eruption cycle and it's due to end before the summer arrives in North America. I appreciate a good horror story as much as the next guy, bu get your facts together before you go spouting off at people who actually work in the industry.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:26 am |
      • Ra

        So what happens when the World's power systems, communication system, gps satellites, and specially the nuclear facilities are knocked offline, due to a huge power surge through the grid? If I am not mistaken, it hasn't been upgraded in a while due to money issues, and a Transformer now a days takes 4 to 6 months to order, install, put online.

        Thats just focusing on basics, not even talking about the personalities taking suit of self preservation in such a case.

        January 25, 2012 at 10:34 am |
      • Reality101

        The current solar cycle does not even peak until around 2015 and does not end until around 2020. Hang on, it might be a rough ride!

        January 25, 2012 at 10:55 am |
      • Judas Priest

        This is a very valid concern. We have on the historical record a solar storm severe enough to cause major damage to our modern power grid, and with it, most of our communication, production, and distribution.

        January 25, 2012 at 12:30 pm |
      • Elizabeth

        We'll just have to stop importing things wholesale and actually have people work and get paid. And then a lot of people will also be paid to fix the computers. People working, the horror!

        January 25, 2012 at 1:02 pm |
    • Donvon

      Thankfully, your tinfoil hat will protect you from the worst of the radiation...

      January 25, 2012 at 10:34 am |
      • eve

        Tin foil hat – zap!

        January 25, 2012 at 10:49 am |
      • Elizabeth

        Please take your tin foil hats off in lightning storms, or expect to be fried.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:03 pm |
    • Ashley

      Good luck trying to explain this to people, most live in a bubble

      January 25, 2012 at 10:56 am |
      • ﺶCHEﺶ

        Come on, spill it.
        You're referring to brain dead Republicans ..... rights? They're the ones with pea size brains and empty heads.

        January 25, 2012 at 11:56 am |
    • Landru

      Ra, Do you have a golden ticket for the Ark?

      January 25, 2012 at 11:44 am |
    • ﺶCHEﺶ

      Can't scare me!
      You must be an agent for GWB and Dick Cheney parading fear for no reason.
      Heck should it happen we all plunge into the Stone Age. Hope Dick Cheney can find his way out of his bunker.
      Right now, life goes on abated.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:09 pm |
  32. JollyGreenBud

    I told my boss about this and he insisted that must rub sun block all over my wang to help protect it. He said he would do it for me, only if I go down to the market and pick up an auto trader magazine. A deal is a deal right? I mean it's the end of the world we're talking about here!

    January 25, 2012 at 10:04 am |
    • alex

      Dear Jolly,
      It seem the signing of the end of the world as mentioned in the bible, but as the believer of jesus christ,
      We don't think about the impact but think about the readiness as our faith to jesus if it happen

      January 25, 2012 at 10:18 am |
      • Judas Priest

        In other words keep your head buried in the sand. Live a helpless know-nothing fluffy bunny, die a helpless know-nothing fluffy bunny.

        January 25, 2012 at 12:32 pm |
  33. Serenity

    *ALL JOKES ASIDE* We really need to know what long term affects this radiation storm from the sun exploiding has on the earth and the people living on it??????

    January 25, 2012 at 9:54 am |
    • LuisWu

      It happens fairly often. Didn't you read that part that said it would have no effect "on the surface of the Earth". We've had larger flares than this one hit the Earth, the Earth's magnetic field protects us.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:11 am |
      • steven

        Wasn't it in 2008 that Nasa probes found holes in the field that protects us from solar radiation and indicated that if the bursts are big enough there is a possiblilty of additional damage to the earth surface itself. I don't have the article in front of me but I know it happened I think late 2008.

        January 25, 2012 at 10:36 am |
      • Aubrie

        Steven you are correct... And I don't trust the media, NASA or the government to tell us the truth about ANY of this stuff.

        January 25, 2012 at 11:27 am |
      • Elizabeth

        The only thing affected will be the scientists at the poles who are studying the effects of the ozone hole. (The ozone protects the earth from radiation.) I feel sorry for them.

        January 25, 2012 at 1:06 pm |
    • Sandy

      Didn't read the whole article did ya. But solar radiation storms can't harm humans on Earth itself, NASA said.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:31 am |
    • Ouch

      the people living on it?? You must mean those "hot" girls I dreamed of last night 🙂

      January 25, 2012 at 10:40 am |
      • ﺶCHEﺶ

        You pervert! That was your baby sister you dreamed of.
        Seek help before you pipe your own baby sister in the middle of the night. The scarily part they say (not me); an erected di*k has no sense of direction and a threat to any hole in sight. Darkness even makes it worse. You feel me?

        January 25, 2012 at 12:18 pm |
  34. mikrik13

    I didn't notice any effects what so ever. Tin foil hats certainly come in handy. Who's laughing now.

    January 25, 2012 at 9:54 am |
    • willy

      If I hat known I would have lined my umbrella with tin foil. Maybe next time.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:22 am |
  35. Fred

    Time to tan!!!!!!

    January 25, 2012 at 9:51 am |
  36. Truamerikan

    Hey CNN!!! Good job getting this out at almost 9:00 PM EST. By the time most of us read this the storm was over. I'm really glad you got that important story out on how Liv Taylor likes her daddy's new play-toy.

    Let's keep focusing on the important issues rather than something that can impact or truly interest us.

    As usual good job on staying on top of the relevant issues.

    January 25, 2012 at 9:47 am |
    • Logan

      ROFL!! Well said!! The quality of CNN's stories has diminished so much. Pretty sad when you can pop over to AOL.com to find more up-to-date events then on CNN.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:02 am |
    • lil mogley

      ... covering it up so nobody panics. Its just the sun, only one of the reasons there is ife on this planet... your right cnn, who wants to read a story about that?

      January 25, 2012 at 10:09 am |
    • mistamistama

      Let's be honest. You have NO idea what any of this actually means anyway. They could have known and had ironclad facts that a massive solar flare was heading straight for us and you'd have not done anything further with the information than you've done here. CNN is a responsible reporting news group who is responsible for reporting facts, often after events have occurred. If you want a warning, you might want to frequent NOAA ,or NASA websites...or track down Mrs. Clio, the fortune teller. Hell, even Faux Nooz is part of the guessing game. Let's allow CNN to offer reporting on facts and news instead of becoming a fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants prognosticator of future events where there aren't enough reasons to spout ignorance without reasoning.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:35 am |
    • Judas Priest

      This is a blog.

      January 25, 2012 at 12:34 pm |
  37. leapfrog

    Is this what happened in the movie 2012 to trigger the end of the world? Where's John Cusack when you need him?

    January 25, 2012 at 9:41 am |
    • Nicholas Cage

      No, this is what happened in my movie, Knowing. Forget John Cusack! I'll save you!

      January 25, 2012 at 11:01 am |
  38. Randy

    Good thing our ozone layer is intact.

    January 25, 2012 at 9:39 am |
    • steven

      Yes good thing we don't have gaping holes in our ozone caused by harmful chemicals. That would make people nervious!

      January 25, 2012 at 10:41 am |
      • CTYank

        Be specific. CFCs. Chlorofluorocarbons, like freons.

        January 25, 2012 at 11:26 am |
      • TODAY

        "nervious"...LOL

        January 25, 2012 at 11:32 am |
  39. Jake

    It's the Flare!

    January 25, 2012 at 9:36 am |
  40. Petesamson

    I had hardrive die yesterday. Could be related, who knows.

    January 25, 2012 at 9:35 am |
  41. Tr1Xen

    So THAT'S why my cell phone kept dropping calls yesterday!

    January 25, 2012 at 9:30 am |
    • TODAY

      Hm...they hung up on you :))

      January 25, 2012 at 11:31 am |
  42. Becky

    Our smoke alarms go off once or twice randomly when ever there is a solar storm (new batteries did not fix the problem). My car alarm did this last summer, too, when we had a big solar storm. It really does seem to affect certain devices.

    January 25, 2012 at 9:26 am |
    • TODAY

      It seems like it affect you ...a lot :))

      January 25, 2012 at 11:31 am |
  43. Kevin

    When exactly did this hit. Tuesday our computers at school acted strangely so I don't know if this was a possible cause of it.
    On a side note: If you got to see the Aurora then you lucky.

    January 25, 2012 at 9:24 am |
    • Karaya

      You computer's behavior is more likely caused by someone catching a virus while surfing for pron, rather than solar activity...

      January 25, 2012 at 9:32 am |
    • Tannim

      You weren't the only one. Large chunks of the DoD Net went down for two hours yesterday AM as well when it hit.

      January 25, 2012 at 10:02 am |
  44. JB!

    "coronal mass ejection"...is that the fancy way of saying the sun had an orgasm?

    January 25, 2012 at 9:17 am |
    • Elysia

      Essentially, yes...that's exactly what it means.

      January 25, 2012 at 9:42 am |
    • Webrydr

      Pretty much, yeah. Luckily, we have a condom, called the "magnetic field."

      January 25, 2012 at 10:17 am |
      • Jaysun

        More like a diaphragm than a condom.

        January 25, 2012 at 10:29 am |
      • CommonSense

        More like a sponge than a diaphragm ...

        January 25, 2012 at 12:22 pm |
  45. Pappa Wally

    Delta should have planned a solar discount flight

    January 25, 2012 at 6:25 am |
  46. Fernando

    Is it in 2012 or in the future???

    January 25, 2012 at 12:40 am |
    • Dan

      IIt was 2012 on Sunday...

      January 25, 2012 at 6:10 am |
    • Randy

      It is 2012. What time zone or time are you in? I can give you some lottery numbers if you are in the past.

      January 25, 2012 at 9:25 am |
      • Logan

        LOL!!! 😀

        January 25, 2012 at 10:04 am |

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