for the astrophysical types, is this of significance...
Giant solar storm headed for Earth could disrupt power grid, air travel
The largest solar flare in five years is racing toward Earth, threatening to unleash a torrent of charged particles that could disrupt power grids, GPS and airplane flights.
The sun erupted Tuesday evening, and the effects should start smacking Earth around 7 a.m. EST Thursday, according to forecasters at the federal government's Space Weather Prediction Center. They say the flare is growing as it speeds outward from the sun.
The solar storm is likely to last through Friday morning, but the region that erupted can still send more blasts toward Earth, Mr. Kunches said. He said another set of active sunspots is ready to aim at Earth right after this.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/tec ... le2361702/