Storm slammed into Earth this morning, could cause disruptions
(NEWSER) - While most of us were busily counting sheep or howling at the nearly-full moon last night, plasma and charged particles produced by Tuesday night's massive solar flares were hurtling toward the planet at 4 million mph, reports Space.com . This material, the largest coronal mass ejection (CME) in five years, hit the Earth around 5:45am ET, and could cause disruptions to utility grids, satellite and GPS networks, and airline flights around the poles throughout the day; it could also greatly expand the Northern Lights. "It's hitting us right in the nose," says a NOAA scientist. More»