2014.09.12 Solar storm watch elevated to G3

Solar storms are not science fiction. Coronal Mass Ejections (like volcanoes on the Sun) send hot gasses into space at millions of miles per hour. These are of course much slower than the speed of light and take some time to get to Earth. The gasses themselves and the Sun emit radiation as these events occur, and this radiation can have an effect on our electronic systems. Much of the radiation is prevented from reaching Earth by our atmosphere (which results in the Northern Lights). This can generare further disruption in the form of a Geomagnetic Storm. In rare cases, the Northern Lights may be visible as far south as down in the mid United States.

A minor storm has just passed... a G1 - but according to the Space Weather Prediction Center a G3 Geomatgnetic Storm Watch (http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/) is in effect for tonight (2014.09.12) and tomorrow (2014.09.13).

Due to the electromagnetic nature of these storms they have the capability to cause widespread technical "weirdness". Modern electronics operate on very small changes in electrical charge. Because the changes in things like computer memory and processors are so small they can be affected by external electric and electromagnetic fields.

There is no effective prevention, but we will be monitoring for unusual events and taking action as appropriate.

While a G3 is not an extreme storm it does present some risk of service disruption. Please use normal support contact procedures in the event you notice something unusual.

Thank you,

BitBlock Systems, Inc.