Delta Reroutes Flights: Solar Storm

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Delta Reroutes Flights As Solar Storm Hits Earth

• BUSINESS
• JANUARY 24, 2012, 5:55 P.M. ET

Delta Reroutes Flights As Solar Storm Hits Earth

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By DOUG CAMERON

The U.S. is bracing for the impact of the largest solar storm in almost a decade. Eric Holthaus joins the News Hub to discuss what to expect for travel and electrical devices. Photo: AFP / Getty Images.

Delta Air Lines Inc. said Tuesday that it was rerouting some transpolar flights between Asia and the U.S. to avoid the impact of the largest solar storm in almost a decade.
The Atlanta-based carrier said some flights to Detroit from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul took a more southerly routing on overnight flights, though a spokesman said planes flew faster to keep schedules intact. Tuesday departures from the U.S. were expected to follow similar routes.

Here Comes the Sun Storm

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AFP/Getty Images

This January 19, 2012 shows the solar flare captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory.

A rare solar flare erupted late Sunday night resulting in a solar radiation storm today, according to NASA. It's the strongest such storm since September 2005, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. (Photo/Video: NASA)

Airlines occasionally reroute transpolar flights as a precautionary measure during big solar storms, with radiation levels heightened near the poles because of the relatively thin ozone layer. The region is also more prone to the disturbance of navigation and communication systems because of the convergence of magnetic field lines at the poles. end quote.

Over the years airlines become better and better at dealing with Solar Storms. Likely over time more electrical devices and electronics will be designed with the idea of having to face solar storms.