The Most Powerful Solar Storm in Decades Hits Earth
The world experienced the impact of the most powerful solar storm in over two decades on Friday. This extraordinary event triggered breathtaking celestial light displays from Tasmania to Britain. However, it also posed potential threats of disruptions to satellites and power grids, as it persisted into the weekend.
Coronal Mass Ejections and Geomagnetic Storms
The solar storm was initiated by a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun. The first CME occurred just after 1600 GMT, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center. Subsequently, it was upgraded to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, marking the first occurrence of such intensity since the “Halloween storms” in October 2003. The previous Halloween storms resulted in blackouts in Sweden and damaged power infrastructure in South Africa. It is expected that more CMEs will impact the planet in the coming days.
Spectacular Auroras and Social Media Buzz
The awe-inspiring phenomenon of auroras lit up the skies of Northern Europe and Australasia, captivating people’s attention and generating a buzz on social media platforms. Individuals shared their experiences and posted pictures of the mesmerizing auroras. Iain Mansfield from Hertford, England, expressed his excitement as he woke up his children to witness the northern lights in their own backyard. Similarly, photographer Sean O’Riordan captured the incredible celestial display in Tasmania, describing the skies as “absolutely biblical” in the early hours of the morning.
Authorities promptly alerted satellite operators, airlines, and the power grid to take precautionary measures in anticipation of potential disruptions caused by changes in Earth’s magnetic field.
Understanding the Impact of CMEs
Unlike solar flares that reach Earth at the speed of light within approximately eight minutes, CMEs travel at a more leisurely pace. Officials estimate the current average speed of CMEs to be around 800 kilometers (500 miles) per second. These particular CMEs originated from a massive sunspot cluster that spans a width 17 times greater than our planet. The sun is currently approaching the peak of its 11-year cycle, resulting in heightened solar activity.
Mathew Owens, a professor of space physics at the University of Reading, explains that the extent of the storm’s impact on Earth’s northern and southern latitudes will depend on its final strength. He advises people to step outside and witness the auroras if they are visible, as it is truly a spectacular sight. Additionally, individuals equipped with eclipse glasses can also observe the sunspot cluster during daylight hours.
Officials in the United States suggest that areas such as Northern California and Alabama may have the opportunity to witness the auroras.
Brent Gordon from NOAA encourages the public to capture the night sky using their phone cameras, even if they are unable to see the auroras with their naked eyes. He assures that the images captured with newer cell phones often reveal surprising details that may not be visible to the human eye.
Potential Impacts on Infrastructure and Wildlife
Geomagnetic storms can induce fluctuating magnetic fields, which in turn generate currents in long wires, including power lines. This phenomenon can potentially lead to blackouts. Moreover, long pipelines may become electrified, resulting in engineering challenges.
Spacecraft are also vulnerable to high levels of radiation during geomagnetic storms. However, the Earth’s atmosphere acts as a shield, preventing the radiation from reaching the planet’s surface. To ensure astronaut safety, NASA has a dedicated team that monitors space weather and can instruct astronauts on the International Space Station to move to shielded areas within the outpost.
Interestingly, even species such as pigeons, which possess internal biological compasses, can be affected by geomagnetic storms. Pigeon handlers have reported a decrease in the number of birds returning home during such events, as noted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
In summary, the recent solar storm captivated people around the world with stunning auroras while also raising concerns about potential disruptions to satellites, power grids, and even wildlife. It serves as a reminder of the immense power and influence of our closest star, the sun.
Source: The Manila Times