Oct. 24, 2003 — The near universe is experiencing unusually high solar flare activity. Solar flares are tremendous explosions on the surface of the sun – sudden, rapid, and intense variation in brightness – that can release as much energy as a billion megatons of TNT, according to a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Web site.
The 3-day solar geophysical forecast issued Oct. 24 by the U.S. Space Environmental Center: "Solar activity is expected to be high. … The geomagnetic field is expected to be at active to severe storm conditions for day one … Activity should subside to unsettled to minor storm levels in days two and three." Translation: if your satellite, ATM, cellular phone, or even electric power is acting up, it probably won't be as bad tomorrow.
There's more information and images at the NASA Solar Physics and the Big Bear Solar Observatory Web sites.
In the interest of change or simple amusement we ask our digital camera buffs to send images of potholes, abandoned vehicles, construction sites without proper erosion management, government vehicles parked at recreation sites on the weekends or at night, trash, plastic bags adorning trees, abused or starving animals –– anything that BUGS you, amuses you or simply catches your eye.
Along with the photos we are also looking for a name for this feature to appear regularly on our op-ed pages.
Some that we've come up with are:
island e-eyesore
e-witness
i-witness
e-valuation
e-quality issues
If you submit a name and we choose it, we'll present you with a Source hat!
Send suggestions to: [email protected] using "name contest" on the subject line.
Please e-mail pictures no larger than 800×600 pixels to [email protected] using "photo" on the subject line.
In order to be considered for publication in a PICTURE WORTH 1,000 WORDS article in our op-ed section you must include time, date and place where picture was taken, your name, phone number and island where you took the photo. We will not use your name or any other details other than when and where the photo was taken unless you specifically ask us to use your name.
Let's point and click for change — or for fun. The V.I. Source reserves sole authority to determine which photos will be published.
Shaun A. Pennington
Publisher