Geocaching, space weather and an astronomy event

I just read a short story about satellites and geocaching. The satellites orbiting the earth - and used by geocachers to locate their hidden treasures - can be affected by solar storms. This isn't big news, it's happened before, but the US government now has an idea to protect them. But it would affect communications from space so there's some disagreement from the rest of the world about the idea.

Although the protection idea is clever, I don't think it will happen. Not that geocachers will have the influence to stop it, but cell-phone and satellite tv-users will likely put up a much bigger fight.

The whole notion of solar storms and space weather had me doing a quick web search this morning. I discovered that you can find out - on a daily basis - what the weather is like in space. They even forecast solar flares.

My sleepy-eyed kids were not nearly as enthusiastic or interested as I was with this information when I dragged them over to the computer at 7 a.m. this morning. Although the abstract forecasts were too much for them so early in the day, they thought the sun spot photos were "really cool."

At least they humored me for a few minutes. And now I know where to check if my GPS unit or cell phone connections are wacky. Although that's really just an excuse to indulge my inner geek.

The other day I received an email about an event in September sponsored by the Astronomical Association of Northern New England. Since my kids have always been interested in space, especially G, we hope to attend part of the weekend-long event in Kennebunk.

It sounds like a great way for families to learn more about astronomy.

I couldn't find specific information about this event on the association's website yet, so I thought I'd post an image of the flier.