EARTH BRACES FOR GEOMAGNETIC STORMS. THREE BIG ERUPTIONS ON THEIR WAY FROM SUN
The sun's turbulent activity has peaked as the colossal sunspot AR3664 continues to hurl a series of powerful Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) towards Earth.Â
Stunning footage from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory reveals at least three distinct storm clouds erupting from the sunspot over the past 24 hours.
This relentless barrage of charged particles and magnetic fields, propelled by the sunspot's immense size and complexity, poses a significant threat to Earth's geomagnetic environment.Â
What is Coronal Mass Ejection?Â
A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a significant release of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere.Â
This release often occurs in conjunction with solar flares and other solar events. CMEs are massive bursts of solar wind and solar radiation that can travel through space and impact planets, including Earth.Â
According to forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first CME is expected to reach our planet late on May 10. However, this initial impact is merely the beginning of a multi-day onslaught. Additional CMEs are predicted to arrive on May 11 and potentially May 12, setting the stage for a prolonged period of geomagnetic disturbances.
What can be expected?Â
NOAA models indicate that these successive CME impacts could trigger minor to strong geomagnetic storms over the three-day period, creating prime conditions for auroral displays to grace the night skies at mid-latitudes across Europe and the United States.
While auroras are a breathtaking celestial phenomenon, the potential for severe space weather events also carries risks for modern technological infrastructure. Intense geomagnetic storms can disrupt satellite operations, navigation systems, and power grids, underscoring the importance of monitoring and preparing for such events.
Sunspot AR3664, which spans a staggering 2,00,000 kilometers from end to end, has already drawn comparisons to the legendary Carrington sunspot of 1859, responsible for one of the most powerful geomagnetic storms on record.
As this behemoth continues to unleash its fury, space weather experts worldwide are closely tracking its evolution and the potential impacts of the incoming CMEs.
2024-05-09T10:41:07Z dg43tfdfdgfd