Solar Storm: After 21 years, a storm so powerful from the Sun is going to hit the Earth that it will destroy satellites and power grids.
Scientists have warned that this geomagnetic storm coming from the Sun can affect the Earth’s satellites and power grids. Due to this, communication may be disrupted and many areas may be plunged into darkness.
The most powerful solar storm in two decades hit Earth on Friday. That’s why amazing views were seen in the sky from America to Britain. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has classified this magnetic storm in the G5 category.
Geomagnetic storms are measured on a scale from G1 to G5, with G5 considered the most intense level of storm. NOAA warned that this geomagnetic storm coming from the Sun could affect Earth’s satellites and power grids. Due to this, communication may be disrupted and many areas may be plunged into darkness.
SOLAR STORM: NASA captured the picture of the blazing Sun
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the picture of this explosion on the Sun. On May 10, 2024, the Sun gave off a brilliant glow that rose at 2:54 a.m. local time. According to NOAA, the surge in solar flares caused large amounts of plasma and magnetic fields to be ejected from the corona (coronal mass ejection).
Earlier in October 2003, a large solar storm caused blackouts in Sweden and damage to electrical infrastructure in South Africa. Scientists expect more coronal mass ejections to hit Earth in the coming days.
Powerful solar storm will hit Earth after 19 years, airlines warn
All flights flying in the trans-polar region between Europe, Asia and North America will be diverted to protect passengers and crew from radiation. The Space Weather Prediction Center said these types of events are extremely rare.
The solar storm, the first of its kind since January 2005, could cause worldwide blackouts, disrupt navigation systems and pose the risk of high-frequency radio collisions.
Five eruptions from the sun’s atmosphere are predicted to begin late Friday and continue through Sunday. The true strength of a storm is known about 60 to 90 minutes before its arrival because satellites measure the energy.
What is Solar Storm?
Coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are explosive events that occur on the surface of the Sun. In these, explosions of plasma and magnetic fields emerge from the Sun’s corona. When these coronal mass ejections move toward Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms.
Such storms have the potential to affect various systems in Earth’s orbit and on the planet’s surface. It can disrupt communications, electrical power grids, navigation, radio and satellite operations. On Earth, humans are protected by the Earth’s magnetic field. But power grids remain fragile, pipelines can be electrocuted and spacecraft can go astray. The last time a G5 hurricane struck was in October 2003 – the deadliest hurricane on this scale. It caused power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.