Viridian Note 00290: Sun EruptsBruce Sterling [bruces@well.com]
Entries in the Enron Logo Contest: Viridian contest site http://www.bomoco.com/Viridian/viridian.htm http://www.bomoco.com/Viridian/Enron/Enron.htm
((("I decided that the logo needed to be evaluated in situ... so I "borrowed" a few elements from Enron's web site, made minimal changes, and dropped in my new logo.))) (((Their new logo is here:))) http://users.rcn.com/adamo2l/EnronPoundSandMedium.gif ((("Hope you find this as enjoyable as I did.")))
Link: http://europe.cnn.com/2002/TECH/space/01/04/sun.burst/index.html "Sun unleashes monster eruption "January 4, 2002 Posted: 2152 GMT By Richard Stenger CNN Sci-Tech "(CNN) == The sun discharged a powerful burst of energy on
Friday, igniting the most complex coronal mass ejection
since an international solar observatory launched six
years ago, according to astronomers. (((Yee-hah!)))
"The eruption, a twisting assemblage of bright patches
that resembles a fantastical dragon, (((normally I never
quote CNN on Viridian List, but normally CNN doesn't talk
this way))) unleashed billions of tons of particles at
speeds of about 2.2 million mph (3.5 million km/h).
(((Incoming!!)))
"The sun's magnetic field lines were responsible for the intricate design, (((see, there's a design angle to this story after all!))) according to Paal Brekke, a scientist with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint project of NASA and the European Space Agency. Link:
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/
"'The complexity and structure ... amazed even
experienced solar physicists at the SOHO operations
center,' Brekke said. 'It shows lots of structures, lots
of filaments. They get twisted up like rubber bands and
sometimes they can just snap.' (((Check those cosmic
structures out on the SOHO site. They've got a kind of
magnetodynamo-erotic thing going on.)))
"(...) Packed with charged molecules and magnetic
forces, solar storms headed in our direction can smash
into the upper atmosphere, producing colorful aurora
displays and making electrical systems go haywire on
everything from satellites to power grids.
"In 1989, one such geomagnetic storm knocked out the
main electrical utility in Quebec, Canada, plunging
millions into darkness for hours and costing billions of
dollars to fix. (((Oh brother.)))
"Fortunately, humans can breath easy after this particular salvo. 'This one went out of the side of the sun and is not heading toward Earth,' Brekke said. (((In other impressive solar news, a Viridian has spotted BP solar panels in BP gas station and forwarded graphics to us. Good thing the panels didn't short out and fry in that sudden, dragonlike solar burst. Perhaps the Solar Regulatory Authority should be called in.))) "Subject: Finally Spotted! From: Carl Boyd <cboyd@avon.net> (((Carl Boyd remarks: "I've been scouring Chicago for those BP's with solar panels on the roof for what seems like years now.))) Link: http://www.viridiandesign.org See Viridian Notes 00044, 00183, 00184. ((("Most of the Amocos in the area are being Borg'ed into the BP collective with visual makeovers, along with promises that Amoco gas will still be available. BUT! When I leave Chicago and go to little old Pittsburgh to visit the folks == WHAM == One pops up near the airport! Look at that PV array, man!))) Links: http://www.viridiandesign.org/images/BPfar.jpg http://www.viridiandesign.org/images/BPclose.jpg ((("The cashier had no clue (so hard to find informed staff these days) but I'm sure that's what's up there. And check out those cool, designer-y pumps, and the Deco- tecture! The future of gas pumping is here, if you live in Pittsburgh."))) O=c=O O=c=O O=c=O O=c=O |
