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While the geomagnetic part of the solar eruption
-- which happened around 11 p.m. EST Sunday -- was more of a fizzle, another earlier part of the sun's outburst was more powerful. On Monday and Tuesday, the proton radiation from the eruption reached strong levels, the most powerful since October 2003. That mostly affects astronauts and satellites, but NASA said the crew on the International Space Station was not harmed and only a few minor problems with satellites were reported, Biesecker said. However, some airplane flights over the North Pole have been rerouted because of expected communication problems from the radiation. Geomagnetic storms cause awesome sights, but they can also bring trouble. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, problems can include current surges in power lines, and interference in the broadcast of radio, TV and telephone signals. No such problems were reported Tuesday. Peter Richardson, a 49-year-old bar manager and part-time poet at the 17th-century Tan Hill Inn in northern England, said the pub
-- normally dead on a Monday night in January -- was thronged until the wee hours of the morning with people who came to look at the lights. "I just thought: 'Oh my God, this is just absolutely amazing,'" he said. "You do get a lot of spectacular skylines out here, but that was just something out of the ordinary. Very different." Ken Kennedy, director of the Aurora section of the British Astronomical Association, said the northern lights may be visible for a few more days. The Canadian Space Agency posted a geomagnetic storm warning Tuesday after residents were also treated to a spectacular show in the night sky. John Manuel, a scientist with the Canadian Space Agency, said there's an increased chance of seeing northern lights over northern Canada on Tuesday night. "It's not likely people in the major Canadian cities further south will see a significant aurora tonight," he said. "There's always a possibility but the current forecast is for a good show for people who live further north. It should be a particularly good night tonight." ___ Online:
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