Latest news with #Fouche
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Science
- The Citizen
Geomagnetic storm with 1 000km
The geomagnetic storm was triggered by the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun. A powerful geomagnetic storm with winds of up to 1 000km per second that swept across Earth's magnetic field over the past 24 hours is now rotating away from the planet. The geomagnetic storm was triggered by the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun, which combined with intense solar wind from a large coronal hole. Coronal hole Since 29 May, a particularly large coronal hole called Coronal Hole 52 has unleashed a high-speed stream (HSS) of solar wind and caused minor to moderate geomagnetic storm conditions. South African National Space Agency (Sansa) spokesperson Daleen Fouche told The Citizen that although geomagnetic conditions appeared to be recovering on 31 May, the solar wind speeds were still at strong levels, reaching 700 km/s. 'A fast CME associated with a strong M8.1 solar flare on 30 May reached Earth on Sunday 1 June, compounding the effects of the high-speed solar wind, increasing geomagnetic activity to G4 (severe) storm levels, with Kp (Kp index is a global measure of geomagnetic activity) values peaking at 8 and Hermanus registering a local K-index of 7. 'The impact of this CME further increased solar winds up to a speed of 1 000km per second. The storm began in the early hours of Sunday morning and persisted through the night. 'By 11:30 am South African local time this morning (Monday, 2 June), the storm had subsided to G2 (moderate) levels, but geomagnetic activity remains elevated and is expected to continue at G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) levels throughout the day,' Fouche said. WATCH Coronal activity on the Sun A powerful M8.2 solar flare that will trigger G4 (SEVERE) geomagnetic storm, tonight 📷 NASA/SDO — Milky Way (@PanatpongJ) June 1, 2025 ALSO READ: Eyes on the sky: Global leaders convene in Stellenbosch to tackle near-Earth threats Northern and Southern lights Fouche said Space weather storms can trigger the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, and the Southern Lights, or aurora australis. 'The Southern Lights are rarely seen over South Africa, but did make an appearance during two major storms in 2024. No sightings of aurora over South Africa were reported to SANSA after yesterday's G4 storm'. Technology Impacts Possible impacts of a G4 severe storm include disruptions to high-frequency (HF) radio communications and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), which are sensitive to geomagnetic disturbances. Fouche said the coronal hole that caused the initial HSS is now rotating away from Earth. 'The solar wind speed has decreased to approximately 700 km/s. SANSA anticipates further G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic activity in the near term, particularly if the incoming CME arrives as forecast'. Sansa has been monitoring space weather since 2010 from its facility in Hermanus, Western Cape, and expanded to an operational, 24/7 capability in 2022. ALSO READ: Anyone out there? Astronomers find signs of life on distant planet
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Refreshed Fouche ready to fire for Stormers against Cardiff
Fouche has served a three game ban after picking up a red card in March and is fired up for his return to the field. Stormers prop Neethling Fouche during a training session this week ahead of his return to play in their URC match against Cardiff at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images A refreshed Neethling Fouche is fired up to get back on the park and put in a big effort for the Stormers when they take on Cardiff in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) pool match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night. Fouche has frustratingly been out for the last six weeks, after he picked up a red card for head collision in a tackle against Ulster in March, which many local pundits and coaches believed was a rugby incident and undeserving of a suspension. However he was handed a four match, which was upheld despite the Stormers appealing the decision, and thus missed their last three URC matches, with him able to return this week thanks to completing tackle school. Speaking at a training session this week, Fouche chose to look at the positives, and was grateful for the opportunity to rest his body after a tough season so far. Silver lining 'I am a great believer that there is always some silver lining to every disappointment. It has been really disappointing sitting out these three games. When you are not playing you do feel more anxious,' explained Fouche. 'The last two that I was here to watch were OK because we won comfortably and there were no grey hairs but the first one against Connacht had me at home sitting with my pillow over my head, unable to look. 'Disappointment can quickly be turned around into a positive, and I got over the disappointment of being told I was suspended for three games by figuring out that it was a chance to get rid of a few niggles and to freshen up a bit. 'Fortunately there was no setback for the Stormers while I was out and we won all three games with bonus points, so looking back it has been good. The season started with the pre-season in early September and my minutes have been high. So I was able to say to myself, 'OK, listen, maybe your body does need a rest'.' Front row depth One of the positives for the Stormers during Fouche's time out has been the impressive performance from their back up brigade, who have massively stepped up after Frans Malherbe was also ruled out with injury, and Brok Harris retired after injuring his knee. 'The great thing for us at the Stormers is that there are always new guys coming through, and with Frans also out it offered an opportunity to Sazi (Sandi), and I thought he did really well. 'Vernon (Matogo) also showed us what I have always thought of him, which is that he is going to be a big name loosehead in the future. And then there's Ali Vermaak who has been playing for 43 years,' joked Fouche. 'I do have a soft spot for Vernon. This is the first season he has been training with us and you just know when you are a tighthead when you are going up against a loosehead that has got it. He puts me under so much pressure (in training). 'He's always asking for advice and listening, he is always willing to learn and he is just getting better and better. I really think he is a loosehead prop we should be really excited about.'
