#solar storms

[maureen2musings]

Norway nights in color

eventyr

[tinylongwing]

Male Cerulean Warbler, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Lark Bunting, for Tonelli et al. 2023. Magnetic field disruptions lead migratory birds astray. Always a delight to contribute illustrations to papers like this one! Big thanks to Morgan Tingley for requesting these.

[ifonlykircheiswerehere]

🦢🩰👑 Princess Tutu Mirror Stickers!! Now for sale on Etsy! 👑🩰🦢

Tutu, Rue, Fakir, and Mytho. $2 each!

Shop Solar Storms on Etsy: https://solarstorms.etsy.com/listing/4323489588

[notanewtype]

New sticker in my shop: LARGE HARO for $6!

Same mirror design as my popular small haro...

but now he is B I G G E R

Here on Etsy: LARGE HARO

[fullyunsourced]

What if the Sun tried to kill us?

The Carrington Event was the most intense geomagnetic storm ever recorded, and its peak lasted two days from September 1-2, 1859. Our knowledge of it started with two astronomers seeing a massive solar flare the first day, and within 18 hours, chaos broke out.

The colossal fireball from the Sun only lasted five minutes, and it was aimed at the Earth. The unstable magnetic field sent waves of electric current through every conductor on the planet. Telegraph messages failed around the world, and telegraph machines spat sparks at operators and started fires on nearby paper. Sending a message via electricity became impossible.

The coronal mass ejection from the Sun sent a stream of particles directly into Earth, breaking Earth's protective magnetosphere and leaving it exposed to further solar wind. It would take time for the magnetic field to rebuild.

(Absolutely nothing here is to scale)

And that was only day one, with all communications worldwide knocked out.

Even as the solar storm ebbed through the second day, strange events continued. There was so much latent energy in the atmosphere that operators found that a telegraph machine disconnected from its power source could still send messages. Sending was, of course, still unreliable, as stray waves of power crossed through the lines.

If you weren't relying on the telegraph system though, you were in for a gorgeous display in the sky. The charged particles from the Sun, not blocked by a magnetosphere as usual, lit the sky ablaze with their electric charge.

All across the globe, auroras were created in the sky, with their strength linked to the latent energy sent through the Earth by the solar flare. Even as close to the equator as Colombia could they be seen.

We got off easy in 1859. Today, a solar storm as powerful as the Carrington Event would probably be the most costly natural disaster in history, with damage measured in the trillions of dollars. We would lose power grids, GPS, satellite communication, the Internet. Nothing would work.

Solar storms like that are rare, but we get ones of a lower intensity frequently. The part left to chance is if it lands a direct hit on Earth. In 2012, a coronal mass ejection capable of causing a super storm barely skimmed past Earth. Analysis of past events has lead to estimates of a 0.7% chance for a Carrington-class storm per year.

And sometimes we get close calls and strange events because of solar storms. A 1972 solar storm triggered the Vela nuclear detonation detection system, as well as the spontaneous detonation of dozens of sea mines.

The Sun actually has its own weather and seasons, working on an 11-year cycle. These are marked by high points of solar activity and flares. Well, we're due for the next high season of solar activity, during which a Carrington-class event is possible, in the distant year of... 2025. Good luck, everyone!

(Update from three years after writing this post in which it's being published in the even-further-off year of 2026: Everything is fine. Well, not everything, but the Sun's doing okay at least)

[morganr26]

Apparently there’s going to be a severe solar storm tonight. Which means that the Northern Lights are going to be visible in my area. This was taken during the last solar storm in October.

[httpsoftbunni]

Solar and Cosmic Activity’s Influence on the Schumann Resonance

The Sun, in all its fiery intensity, is a powerful force that shapes not only the Earth’s weather but also the planet’s electromagnetic field. The energy released by the Sun, through solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and the solar wind, can affect the very waves that make up the Schumann Resonance. These cosmic events influence the Earth's ionosphere, which is key to the resonance, and can cause changes in the frequencies and intensity of the Earth’s "heartbeat." But it doesn’t stop there—these changes are not just abstract, scientific phenomena; they ripple through to human beings, impacting our physical bodies, our consciousness, and even our emotional states.

The Solar Dance: How the Sun Affects Earth’s Electromagnetic Field

The Sun has an 11-year cycle of solar activity that fluctuates between periods of solar maximum, when activity is at its peak, and solar minimum, when it quiets down. During solar maximum, the Sun emits more solar flares and CMEs, powerful bursts of energy that shoot out from the Sun’s surface. These bursts of energy send electromagnetic waves through space, interacting with Earth’s atmosphere and creating disruptions in the ionosphere. This interaction is directly linked to the Schumann Resonance, causing fluctuations in the electromagnetic waves that travel between the Earth and the ionosphere.

These solar events are not just some cosmic drama unfolding far away from us—they have real consequences here on Earth. When solar flares or CMEs occur, they disturb the ionosphere, and in turn, the Schumann Resonance can experience shifts in its frequencies. This disruption can change how electromagnetic waves travel through the Earth’s atmosphere, making the resonance stronger or weaker. These fluctuations can last for a while and may even have physical effects on human beings, particularly those sensitive to electromagnetic fields.

The Solar Wind: Earth’s Shield and the Magnetic Field

The solar wind is a stream of charged particles that flows continuously from the Sun. When this solar wind reaches Earth, it can alter our planet's magnetic field. This is where things get interesting because Earth’s magnetic field plays a crucial role in protecting us from cosmic radiation. But when the solar wind hits our magnetic field, it can cause geomagnetic storms, which disturb the Earth's electromagnetic environment. These storms also affect the Schumann Resonance, sometimes amplifying or shifting the resonance frequencies.

When these geomagnetic storms happen, they don’t just affect radio communications or GPS signals. They also influence human physiology. Research has shown that during intense geomagnetic storms, many people experience disturbances in their sleep, changes in heart rate variability, and heightened anxiety. It seems that the Earth's electromagnetic environment is intricately connected to our own bioelectromagnetic systems.

Cosmic Radiation and Its Subtle Influence

Beyond solar activity, the Earth is constantly bombarded by cosmic radiation—particles from beyond our solar system, traveling through space and hitting the Earth’s atmosphere. The intensity of cosmic radiation fluctuates based on solar activity, and it’s believed that these changes can affect the Earth’s electromagnetic field as well. Higher cosmic radiation can increase ionization in the atmosphere, which might strengthen the Schumann Resonance and cause slight shifts in its frequency.

From a metaphysical perspective, cosmic radiation is sometimes thought to influence consciousness at a deeper level. As Earth’s electromagnetic field changes, it’s believed that our bodies and minds, which are also governed by electromagnetic frequencies, are affected by these shifts. Higher levels of cosmic radiation could potentially stir spiritual and emotional changes in humans. Some believe that these energetic shifts can awaken hidden aspects of our consciousness or trigger periods of heightened creativity and insight.

How Solar and Cosmic Activity Affect the Human Body and Mind

The Schumann Resonance is often described as the Earth’s "heartbeat," and much like our own heartbeat, it has a profound effect on our physical and mental well-being. Because the human body is made up of electromagnetic energy, it interacts with the Schumann Resonance. When solar flares or geomagnetic storms occur, the changes in the Earth's electromagnetic field can create an energetic "disruption" in our bodies. This disruption can manifest in a number of ways, including:

Changes in Sleep Patterns: Geomagnetic storms, which alter the Schumann Resonance, have been linked to disrupted sleep. People may experience insomnia, more vivid dreams, or increased sleep disturbances during times of heightened solar activity. Increased Stress and Anxiety: Studies suggest that when the Schumann Resonance fluctuates, it can contribute to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and nervous tension. Solar and cosmic energy shifts can create a sense of unease, as if our bodies are “out of sync” with the natural rhythms of the Earth. Heightened Sensitivity: Some individuals report feeling more sensitive to electromagnetic fields during times of high solar activity. This could manifest as headaches, dizziness, or a general sense of unease. Others may experience heightened intuition or creativity, possibly as the result of subtle shifts in their energetic field. Physical Symptoms: The energetic disturbance caused by geomagnetic storms can also influence physical health. Some people report joint pain, migraines, or fatigue during periods of solar maximum, when solar flares are frequent. These symptoms could be a direct result of the electromagnetic disturbances in the Earth’s environment.

The Spiritual Connection: How Cosmic Forces Shape Our Consciousness

Beyond the physical effects, there’s a metaphysical understanding that links these cosmic influences to the broader evolution of human consciousness. In spiritual traditions, the Sun is often viewed as a symbol of enlightenment, illumination, and divine energy. Solar activity, with its powerful electromagnetic bursts, can be seen as a catalyst for spiritual awakening or transformation. Just as the Sun’s rays are essential for life, the energetic pulses from solar and cosmic activity may play a role in sparking spiritual growth and change.

Some believe that during periods of heightened solar activity, human consciousness is more likely to undergo shifts. People might feel more introspective, more attuned to their higher selves, or more open to new ideas. There’s a spiritual belief that the Sun’s energy acts as a guide, shedding light on our inner world and helping us grow. In this sense, the changes in the Schumann Resonance, driven by solar and cosmic activity, could be thought of as spiritual "signposts," signaling times of transformation or illumination.

In contrast, the darker, quieter periods of the solar cycle may reflect times of rest and introspection. Just as the Earth’s electromagnetic environment experiences these cycles, so too might our personal and collective consciousness ebb and flow with the cosmic rhythms. During periods of solar minimum, there may be an opportunity for deep reflection, inner peace, and spiritual renewal.

Cosmic Rhythms and Human Evolution

Looking at these cosmic influences on the Schumann Resonance gives us a fascinating perspective on human evolution. The fact that we are intimately connected to the Earth’s electromagnetic field and the wider cosmos suggests that our physical and spiritual development may be inextricably linked to these cosmic rhythms. Whether or not we are consciously aware of it, these energetic forces shape our daily lives, our health, and our consciousness.

Just as the Sun’s energy nourishes life on Earth, so does it appear to influence our personal and collective evolution, guiding us toward higher states of awareness and spiritual understanding. Solar and cosmic activity may, in a sense, be prompting humanity to grow, adapt, and evolve—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

As we continue to study the Schumann Resonance, it will be interesting to explore further how these cosmic and solar events impact us on a deeper level. In our next lecture, we will examine how all of these forces—the Sun, cosmic radiation, and the Schumann Resonance—might be influencing the broader future of human consciousness and our place in the universe.

[wowjfkewkndcm]

Third times a charm ig