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Physical Sciences: Record-breaking Cosmic Ray Storm stemming from Solar Activity in August 1972

Abstract

AN unusual centre of solar activity was the seat of the most severe disturbances of the current solar cycle early in August 1972. It produced reports from the general public of various visual phenomena in the night sky, surges in electrical systems, radio blackouts and effects upon the navigation of birds in flight. Of the great variety of physical phenomena associated with this remarkable region (sunspot group 331, McMath plage region 11976, centred at Carrington, longitude 009 degrees), we will concentrate on a description of the gross features of the greatest cosmic ray storm ever observed that commenced on August 4, and of which sunspot group 331 was the ultimate source.

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POMERANTZ, M., DUGGAL, S. Physical Sciences: Record-breaking Cosmic Ray Storm stemming from Solar Activity in August 1972. Nature 241, 331–333 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/241331a0

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