A powerful solar storm is brewing in space, and according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it could have a major impact on Earth's critical infrastructure, especially communications networks. After more than two decades, NOAA issued a Severe Geomagnetic Storm Warning on Thursday, classifying it as a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch.
“NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) – a division of the National Weather Service – is monitoring the sun following a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that began on May 8. Space weather forecasters have issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the evening of Friday, May 10. Additional solar outbursts could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend,” the SWPC said in a news release.
The agency said a large sunspot cluster has produced several moderate to strong solar flares since Wednesday at 5 a.m. ET. At least five eruptions have been associated with CMEs that appear to be aimed at Earth, and SWPC forecasters will monitor NOAA and NASA space assets for the outbreak of a geomagnetic storm, it added.
“CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun's corona. They cause geomagnetic storms when aimed at Earth. Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in orbit near Earth and on the Earth's surface, causing communications, power grid and navigation, radio and satellite operations may be disrupted,” the US agency said.
How do solar storms affect Earth?
Solar storms have a major impact on communications and satellite networks and can disrupt various services such as communications, weather forecasts, GPS navigation and other satellite-dependent services. They can induce geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) to overload electrical systems, leading to voltage regulation problems, transformer damage and widespread power outages.
In addition, intense solar storms also pose health risks to people, especially airline crews and passengers, especially on flights at high latitudes, as the amount of solar and cosmic rays reaching the upper parts of the Earth's atmosphere increases during solar storms.
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Published: May 10, 2024 5:07 PM IST