CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida -- The joint NASA and NOAA Space Weather
Prediction Center says R3-Radio Blackout Storms (Strong) are currently in effect on July 12, 2012.
Region 1520,
located close to center disk, is the culprit on today's events. It is
still to early to see if an Earth-directed CME or energetic particles
are associated with this event, however SWPC forecasters are monitoring
the situation.
Radio blackouts occur when the X-rays or extreme UV light from a flare
disturb the layer of Earth's atmosphere known as the ionosphere, through
which radio waves travel. The constant changes in the ionosphere change
the paths of the radio waves as they move, thus degrading the
information they carry. This affects both high and low frequency radio
waves alike. Radio blackouts are rated on a scale from R1 (minor) to R5
(extreme). An R2 radio blackout can result in limited degradation of
both high- and low-frequency radio communication and GPS signals.
Image Credit: NOAA / SWPC
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