The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a warning stating that a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth for the first time since January 2005.
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center called it an unusual event, writing in a post on continue. until Sunday May 12.”
“SWPC forecasters will monitor NOAA and NASA space assets for the onset of a geomagnetic storm,” it added.
A coronal mass ejection is an eruption of solar material. When they arrive on Earth, a geomagnetic storm may arise. The NOAA SWPC also added that the CMEs are expected to merge and arrive on Earth late May 10 to early May 11. Amid this, aurora may become visible in many parts of the United States. According to NIAA SWPC, aurora may become visible over many of the northern states and part of the lower Midwest into Oregon. A report from WashingtonPost also added that the chance of seeing the auroras is also expected in Canada and Northern Europe. Apart from this, clear skies have been forecast over the central states and the west coast of the United States.
NOAA's SWPC advisory stated, in part: “Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on the Earth's surface, potentially disrupting communications, power grids, navigation, radio and satellite operations . SWPC has notified the operators of these systems so that they can take protective measures. Geomagnetic storms can also cause spectacular aurora phenomena on Earth. In a severe geomagnetic storm, there is a chance that aurora could be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California.”
Bill Murtagh, program coordinator at NOAA's SWPC, said of the geomagnetic storm: “It's a pretty volatile situation on the Sun right now that we're watching closely. We are going to see a somewhat prolonged period of geomagnetic storms,” as quoted by The Washington Post.
In another news item, NASA also published some images of solar flares captured by NASA Goddard on May 9. In a post on Instagra, NASA wrote: 'Late at night on May 7 and into the early hours of May 8, the Sun emitted this powerful pair of solar flares. These two energetic flashes with dancing loops were captured by @NASAGoddard's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which always has its eye on the sun.”
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Published: May 10, 2024 11:49 AM IST