Solar Winds and Lightning Strikes

Solar Winds and Lightning Strikes When you go outdoors for play or work, it probably never occurs to you that the lovely yellow Sun that heats and warms our planet is also responsible for a whole raft of other actions that affect us and our planet. Its true - and without the Sun we wouldnt have the beauty of the northern and southern lights, or - as it turns out - some of the lightning strikes that come during thunderstorms. Lightning strikes?   Really? Lets take a look at how that might be a solar effect. The Sun-Earth Connection The Sun is a somewhat active star. It regularly sends out giant outbursts called solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The material from these events rides out from the Sun on the solar wind, which is a constant stream of energetic particles called electrons and protons. When those charged particles get to Earth, some interesting things can happen.   First, they encounter Earths magnetic field, which protects the surface and lower atmosphere from the solar wind by deflecting the energetic particles around the planet. Those particles DO interact with the topmost layers of the atmosphere, often creating northern and southern lights. If the solar storm is strong enough, our technology can be affected - telecommunications, GPS satellites, and electrical grids - can be disrupted or even shut down.   What About the Lightning? When these charged particles   have enough energy to penetrate down into the cloud-forming regions of the Earths atmosphere, they can affect our weather.  Scientists found evidence that some lightning strikes on Earth may well be triggered by energetic particles from the Sun that reach our planet via the solar wind. They measured significant increases in lightning rates across Europe (for example) that occurred for up to 40 days after the arrival of particles carried by high-speed solar winds.   Nobodys quite sure how this works, but scientists are working to understand the interactions. Their data show that electrical properties of the air are somehow changed as the incoming charged particles collide with the atmosphere. Can Solar Activity Help Weather Prediction? If you could predict an increase in lightning strikes by using solar wind streams, that would be a real boon to weather forecasters. Since the solar wind can be tracked by spacecraft, having advance knowledge of solar wind storms would give weather forecasters a significant  chance to warn people about upcoming thunder and lightning storms and their severity. It turns out that astronomers have long known that cosmic rays, which are tiny high-speed particles from across the universe have been thought to play a part in severe weather on Earth. The ongoing studies of charged particles and lightning shows that lower-energy particles created by our own Sun also affect lightning. This is related to a phenomenon called space weather which is defined as geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar activity.   It can affect us here on Earth and in near-Earth space.  This new edition of the Sun-Earth connection, lets astronomers and weather forecasters learn more about both space weather and Earth weather. How Did Scientists Figure This Out? The record lightning strikes over Europe was compared with data from NASAs Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft, which lies between the Sun and the Earth and measures the characteristics of solar winds. It is one of NASAs workhorse space weather and solar activity observatories. After the arrival of the  solar wind at the Earth, the researchers showed there was an average of 422 lightning strikes across the UK in the following 40 days, compared to an average of 321 lightning strikes in the 40 days before the solar winds arrival. They noted that the rate of lightning strikes peaked between 12 and 18 days after the arrival of the solar wind. Long-term studies of the connection between the Suns activity and Earthly thunderstorms should give scientists useful tools not just for understanding the Sun, but also to help predict storms here at home.

Sweet Baby Shower Blessings

Sweet Baby Shower Blessings Baby showers are the most precious moments in the life of a to-be mother. She is filled with thoughts about her life being about to spin out of control. But a baby shower reminds her of the joys of motherhood. It is an occasion where friends and family members bestow their blessings and bring their good wishes. Here are some baby shower sayings to eloquently essay your thoughts if you are in a dilemma as to what to write on that baby shower card you just bought. Personalize your gifts and cards with these baby shower sayings. These lovely baby shower sayings will certainly linger on in everybodys memories. Baby Shower Blessings Mark TwainA soiled baby with a neglected nose cannot be conscientiously regarded as a thing of beauty.H. Jackson Brown, Jr.Always kiss your children goodnight - even if theyre already asleep.Jean LiedloffA babys cry is precisely as serious as it sounds.Carole TabronA crying baby is the best form of birth control.Elinor Goulding SmithIt sometimes happens, even in the best of families, that a baby is born. This is not necessarily cause for alarm. The important thing is to keep your wits about you and borrow some money.Marion C. GarrettyMother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.Sophia LorenWhen you are a mother, you are never alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.Ed HoweFamilies with babies and families without babies are sorry for each other.Rick BraggThis is a place where grandmothers hold babies on their laps under the stars and whisper in their ears that the lights in the sky are holes in the floor of heaven. AnonymousThis baby is your blessing,I wish happiness in every way,Good luck God bless,I sayAnd many blessings and wishes,To welcome baby into your life todayJarod KintzI haven’t the faintest idea how babies are born, probably because I fainted on the day I was born.Henry David ThoreauEvery child begins the world again.Jarod KintzI’m not opposed to new people, I just don’t like their packaging (diapers).Carl SandburgA baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.Don HerroldBabies are such a nice way to start people.Patrick RothfussIve never really understood the desire people have to quantify a baby. Hes X big and Y long, As if the baby is a fish youre not sure youre going to keep. Or some prize potato youre hoping will win a prize at the county fair.AnonymousTen fingers, ten toesShes laughter and teardropsSo small and brand newAnd amazingly angelicShes sent to bless youShes one special BabyThe best of lifes treasureAnd will grant and bless youMany hou rs of great pleasure. Erica EisdorferFor having a babys sweet face so close to your own, for so long a time as it takes to nurse em, is a great tonic for a sad soul.Edwin H. ChapinNo language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mothers love.AnonymousTake a sprinkling of fairy dust,An angels single feather,Also a dash of love and care,Then mix them both together.Add a sentiment or two,A thoughtful wish or line,A touch of stardust, a sunshine ray...Its a recipe, for a Baby Girl truly fine.John StevensonA mother does not become pregnant in order to provide employment to medical people. Giving birth is an ecstatic jubilant adventure not available to males. It is a womans crowning creative experience of a lifetime.Charles DickensI love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.Jodi PicoultNewborns reminded her of tiny Buddhas.Samuel HoffensteinBabies havent any hair;Old mens heads are just as bare;Between the cradle and the graveLie a haircut and a shave Lish McBrideYou know what the great thing about babies is? They are like little bundles of hope. Like the future in a basket.Tina FeyAh, babies! They’re more than just adorable little creatures on whom you can blame your farts.