Ablaze In The Heavens

by Michael G. Mickey

(9-8-05)

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports the following (emphasis added mine):

Forecasters at the NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo., Wednesday [9-7-05] observed one of the largest solar flares on record at 1:40 p.m. EDT. The forecasters are predicting significant solar eruptions in the coming days. Agencies impacted by space weather storms may experience disruptions over the next two weeks. These include spacecraft operations, electric power systems, high frequency communications and low-frequency navigation systems.

The report quotes Larry Combs, a solar forecaster at NOAA's Space Environment Center, as saying, "This event created a complete blackout of high frequency communications on the daylit side of Earth, which included the entire U.S. and basically anywhere the sun was shining at this time. Communications used by emergency services along the Gulf Coast may have experienced problems due to this flare. Low frequency navigation systems may also have experienced a period of significant degradation."

Spaceweather.com states the flare was a major X17-class solar flare coming from the sun's eastern limb. The source of the flare was returning sunspot 798, which sparked strong auroras in late August.

There are 3 categories of solar flares, according to Spaceweather.com:

X-class flares - These are major solar events that can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms.
M-class flares - These are medium-sized and generally cause brief radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow an M-class flare.
C-class flares - These are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth.

Yesterday afternoon, around the time in question, my oldest daughter told me she couldn't get her computer to log onto the internet. Not only that, our cable television was out as well. While it may have been merely a coincidence that this was true, I am left to wonder, in light of Combs' words, if there was more going on behind the scenes than I was consciously aware of at the moment. Clearly, that may have been the case.

Jesus said, concerning the time when His return would be drawing near, "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;" (Luke 21:25)

When the sun creates a total blackout of high frequency communications in the immediate aftermath of one of the largest solar flares ever recorded I consider that a pretty powerful sign - one that's ablaze in the heavens above us each and every day!

Luke 21:28: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Keep looking up! Jesus Christ is Lord and He is coming soon!

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