Predicted solar flare activity for the 1990s - Possible effects on navigation systems

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Navigation (Washington); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-4296.1990.tb01545.x· OSTI ID:6149844

Kunches, J M; Hirman, J W ^[1]

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1. NOAA, Boulder, CO (USA)

The current solar cycle, which began in September 1986, may prove to be the highest ever, as measured by sunspot numbers and radio flux. The cycle's frequent and strong solar flare activity can be illustrated by the March 1989 episode, which caused many problems for navigation systems. Flares and the geomagnetic storms that sometimes accompany them can disrupt low-frequency systems such as Loran-C, as well as the satellite-borne GPS. Although the maximum of the solar cycle is expected during the first quarter of 1990, flare activity is likely to persist at high levels for a few years to follow. Geomagnetic activity may occur at any time in the cycle, and thus geomagnetic disruptions are possible at any point in the 1990s. 5 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6149844
• Journal Information: Navigation (Washington); (USA), Vol. 37; ISSN 0028-1522
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMMUNICATIONS
DISTURBANCES
MAGNETIC STORMS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
FORECASTING
INTERACTIONS
IONOSPHERE
SATELLITES
SOLAR CYCLE
SOLAR FLARES
SUNSPOTS
WAVE PROPAGATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
STARSPOTS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
640104* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Solar Phenomena
640201 - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena