Word: sigmoids
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Recently, researchers studying satellite images of the sun have paid special attention to great, S-shaped twists of plasma called sigmoids that they now believe are an early stage of CME formation. Find a sigmoid, and within a few days you'll probably see an explosion. Since it takes an additional four days for the solar tsunami to reach Earth, you can double today's early-warning time...
...well used. Satellite operators who know a cme storm front is coming can briefly shut their systems off to prevent short-circuiting. Earth-based power grids can be temporarily--if expensively--reconfigured to provide extra grounding. Astronauts planning a space walk can stay indoors until the danger passes. "Each sigmoid is like a loaded gun," says solar researcher Alphonse Sterling, who helped make the discovery. Now, it seems, humanity may have a better chance of dodging the bullet...
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