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Jan. 27, 2012
How ‘Space Weather’ Affects Planes And Power Grids
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This week solar flares sent a huge blast of X-rays and charged particles screaming towards the Earth. Solar astronomer David Hathaway and physicist Doug Biesecker discuss the sun’s explosive behavior, and how that ‘space weather’ affects satellites, airplanes and the electric grid. One effect of the flares was extra-vivid Northern Lights. See some photos taken by listeners below (and add yours too!) and learn more about auroras on our SciArts page. |
Produced by Christopher Intagliata, Associate Senior Producer
Guests
-
David H. Hathaway
Solar Astronomer
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama -
Doug Biesecker
Physicist
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center
Boulder, Colorado
FEATURED READING
Scatter, Adapt, and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction
by Annalee Newitz
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