Protons are raining down on Earth's atmosphere since yesterday due to a large explosion on the farside of the sun. The source of the blast was likely AR 3697 (ex 3664). Earth is connected to the sunspot via the Parker spiral, which can guide energetic protons from the farside to Earth. This "proton rain" is on the verge of becoming an S1-class radiation storm.
Polar Cap Absorption Event (PCA)
For the second day in a row, protons from the sun are raining down on Earth. This is causing a shortwave radio blackout inside the Arctic Circle--also known as a polar cap absorption event. The protons are being funneled toward the Arctic by Earth's magnetic field; their ionizing effect attenuates shortwave transmissions at all frequencies below 30 MHz. This event should last for another 24 to 48 hours.
#Farsideeruption #protons #polarcapabsorptionevent
Images credit: NOAA/SWPC, nemesis maturity channel, SOHO/LASCO
Music credit: KZfaq Audio Library
Lonesome Avenue - The 126ers