UNITED STATES: On Sunday night, a powerful geomagnetic storm hit Earth after a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun arrived earlier than expected. The Space Weather Prediction Center, under the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), warned that the storm conditions were likely to continue through the night.
The CME released billions of tons of charged particles into space at speeds of up to 3 million kilometres per hour. When these particles interacted with Earth’s magnetic field, they caused all sorts of electrical and magnetic disruptions, resulting in a geomagnetic storm.
The storm caused auroras that lit up the night skies in several countries worldwide, including Europe, where sightings were reported as far south as France. Bright red auroras were also spotted in China, according to spaceweather.com.
Across the southern hemisphere of the Sun, a sizable magnetic filament gave rise to the CME that caused the geomagnetic storm. The eruption brought on solar radio bursts.
The storm has been classified as a severe G4 class storm, predicted to cause widespread voltage control problems and trip out vital protective systems.
Aside from these potential impacts, the charged particles from a CME can also cause electric currents to flow through power lines, leading to blackouts, disrupting satellite communications, and damaging electronics. A strong CME can also create a “space weather storm” that poses a danger to astronauts and satellites in orbit around Earth.
In conclusion, the geomagnetic storm caused by the coronal mass ejection from the Sun was a powerful event that significantly impacted Earth. While auroras may be a beautiful sight, the potential damage caused by CMEs highlights the importance of space weather monitoring and prediction.
Also Read: Solarflare Caused a Geomagnetic Storm and Cracked Open Earth’s Magnetic Field for 14 Hours
