SPACE WEATHER

There are three anomalies that greatly impact paranormal research; Solar Flares, Geomagnetic Storms, and the Phases of the Moon. Keeping an eye on these three things has helped us greatly improve the success of our investigations.

Solar flares occur when a large, flaming flare emanates from the sun, rises into space, then crashes back into the sun's surface. When this happens, massive amounts of solar x-rays and cosmic radiation are forced outward from the sun and eventually make their way to earth, raising the level of energy in our planets atmosphere. It is believed that spirits use this energy to help materialize. A higher amount of this energy in the air leads to an increased number of sightings. This is how solar activity fits in. During solar storms, there is an increase in the earth's electromagnetic field and the amount of energy in the earth's atmosphere, thus giving the spirits a large amount of energy to tap into. With a larger amount of energy to use, it is believed that the frequency of paranormal activity is increased. This is the reason why it is important for ghost hunters to check out what is happening in space before going on an investigation.

Geomagnetic storms occur when electrically charged particles emanating from the sun crash into the earth's surface, disrupting earth's magnetic fields. It is believed that there is a disturbance in earth's magnetic fields whenever a spirits present. Many ghost hunters use EMF detectors (Electromagnetic Field) during investigations. These devices will detect a disturbance in the magnetic field, which seems to be accompanied by paranormal activity. It is for this reason that it is believed that paranormal occurrences are more prevalent during these geomagnetic storms.

Paranormal actives seems to be greatly influenced by the geomagnetic field. The lunar cycles are shown to greatly impact the intensity of the earth's geomagnetic field. It is shown that the best time to do a paranormal investigation is 2-3 days prior, the day of, and 2-3 days after a full moon and a new moon.

In researching ghosts, the effects they have on equipment and their increased activity during magnetic storms, it has been realized the importance of keeping track of them. Geomagnetic field disturbances can cause damage power systems, disrupt communications, degrade high-tech navigation systems, or create the spectacular aurora (Northern and Southern lights). These storms can also effect our equipment, giving us false readings. They may also be a "boost" to ghosts and spirits, if they are indeed composed of electromagnetic energy. Below is the current reading and is updated every ten minutes. Directly below the Status Monitor is an explanation of the different results in scientific terms. There is a small glossary below to help better explain the terms.

Solar Flares

Solar flares occur when a large, flaming flare emanates from the sun, rises into space, then crashes back into the sun's surface. When this happens, massive amounts of solar x-rays and cosmic radiation are forced outward from the sun and eventually make their way to earth, raising the level of energy in our planets atmosphere. It is believed that spirits use this energy to help materialize. A higher amount of this energy in the air leads to an increased number of sightings. This is how solar activity fits in. During solar storms, there is an increase in the earth's electromagnetic field and the amount of energy in the earth's atmosphere, thus giving the spirits a large amount of energy to tap into. With a larger amount of energy to use, it is believed that the frequency of paranormal activity is increased. This is the reason why it is important for ghost hunters to check out what is happening in space before going on an investigation.

About the Solar X-ray status monitor

The X-ray Solar status monitor downloads data periodically from the NOAA Space Environment Center FTP server. The previous 24 hours of 5 minute Long-wavelength X-ray data from each satellite (GOES 8 and GOES 10) is analyzed, and an appropriate level of activity for the past 24 hours is assigned as follows:

NORMAL - Solar X-ray flux is quiet (< 1.00e-6 W/m^2)

ACTIVE - Solar X-ray flux is active (>= 1.00e-6 W/m^2) M Class Flare: An M Class flare has occurred (X-ray flux >= 1.00e-5 W/m^2)

X Class Flare - An X Class flare has occurred (X-ray flux >= 1.00e-4 W/m^2)

MEGA Flare - An unprecedented X-ray event has occurred (X-ray flux >= 1.00e-3 W/m^2)

About the Geomagnetic Field status monitor

The Geomagnetic Field status monitor downloads data periodically from the NOAA Space Environment Center FTP server. The previous 24 hours of 3 hour Planetary Kp Index data is analyzed and an appropriate level of activity for the past 24 hours is assigned as follows:

ACTIVE - the Geomagnetic Field has been unsettled (Kp=4)

STORM - A Geomagnetic Storm has occurred (Kp>4)

A INDEX - A daily index of geomagnetic activity derived as the average of the eight 3-hourly a indices.

ACTIVE - Solar activity levels with at least one geophysical event or several larger radio events (10cm) per day (Class M Flares)

AP INDEX - An averaged planetary A INDEX based on data from a set of specific stations.

BURST - A transient enhancement of the solar RADIO EMISSION, usually associated with an ACTIVE REGION or FLARE.

FLARE - A sudden eruption of energy on the solar DISK lasting minutes to hours, from which radiation and particles are emitted.

FLUX - The rate of flow of a physical quantity through a reference surface.

GAMMA - A unit of magnetic field intensity equal to 1 x 10.0E-05 GAUSS, also equal to 1 NANOTESLA.

GAMMA RAYS - High energy radiation (energies in excess of 100 keV) observed during large, extremely energetic solar FLARES.

GAUSS - The unit of magnetic induction in the cgs (centimeter-gram-second) system.

GEOMAGNETIC FIELD - The magnetic field observed in and around the earth. The intensity of the magnetic field at the earth's surface is approximately 0.32 gauss at the equator and 0.62 gauss at the north pole.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM - A worldwide disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, distinct from regular diurnal variations.

• Minor Geomagnetic Storm: A storm for which the Ap index was greater than 29 and less than 50.

• Major Geomagnetic Storm: A storm for which the Ap index was greater than 49 and less than 100.

• Severe Geomagnetic Storm: A storm for which the Ap index was 100 or more.

• Initial Phase: Of a geomagnetic storm, that period when there may be an increase of the MIDDLE-LATITUDE horizontal intensity (H).

• Main Phase: Of a geomagnetic storm, that period when the horizontal magnetic field at middle latitudes is generally decreasing.

• Recovery Phase: Of a geomagnetic storm, that period when the depressed northward field component returns to normal levels.

SUNSPOT -An area seen as a dark spot on the PHOTOSPHERE of the sun. Sunspots are concentrations of magnetic flux, typically occurring in bipolar clusters or groups. are concentrations of magnetic flux, typically occurring in bipolar clusters or groups. They appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding photosphere.