Nothing particularly odd happened on my commute to work the other morning.
I heard on the news earlier this week about the massive solar flares that were expected to arrive at the earth in the form of charged particles due to strike the planet overnight. Experts said the arrivals could mess with GPS systems, satellite communication and power grids.
There were no catastrophes. “The End” didn’t come.
Nothing unusual happened. The “Shame On” signs guy was at his usual post. I saw him assembling the sign as I drove by. Meanwhile, March Madness (conference tournaments) went off without a hitch last night. “My Fair Lady” is continued at Farragut High School.
In the 2000 movie, “Frequency,” the main character John Sullivan (Jim Caviezel) finds he is able to communicate with his deceased father Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid) 30 years back in time, via a ham radio, because of the incredible solar flares that were affecting the New York City area around the time of the 1969 (“Amazin’ Mets”) World Series. John is able to save his dad’s life through the incredible communication channels opened up by the sun.
I didn’t hear that anything of the sort took place overnight.
One article I read said we could expect to see some fantastic views of the Northern Lights across the northern U.S. as a result of this solar activity. I have always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, mentioned prominently in the movie “Local Hero,” as well as in numerous episodes of the 90’s CBS television show “Northern Exposure.”
I’ve never seen the Northern Lights. Maybe someday. But, not, apparently on this day.
Sounds like, maybe, we weathered this solar storm without too much difficulty.
Come to think of it, when I tried to upload my blog that night – the one about Shame On – I had a difficult time getting into tumblr because of technical difficulties. In fact, I just re-uploaded it a few moments ago because it never fully went online.
Maybe the solar flares did finally find a way to disrupt something after all!
JG
(Source: sfgate.com)
Originally posted 3/11/2012
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