Especially heliophysics:
Sunspots located near the sun’s western limb are magnetically connected to Earth. The sun’s magnetic field spirals around like a lawn sprinker–a shape known as the “Parker spiral.” Look at this diagram. Lines of magnetic force coming out of the western limb curve around and touch our planet.
If there is an eruption today while AR2860 is passing through this danger zone, the debris will be funneled back to Earth. The resulting radiation storm could pepper satellites with high-energy protons, fogging cameras and causing reboots of onboard electronics. At such times, shortwave radio propagation can become difficult to impossible. During extreme storms, passengers and crew in commercial aircraft may be exposed to radiation. [SpaceWeather.com]
We have a stable star as the Sun, but it still has its shrieks and outrages.
BTW, this is a cool pic.
