Space experts have warned of an impending geomagnetic storm on Earth. Learn all the details here.
The sun is back to its erratic best, prompting space experts to warn that a giant solar storm has erupted and could be headed for Earth. This is expected to cause a dangerous geomagnetic storm on Earth. A large perturbation of Earth’s magnetosphere, due to the efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment around Earth, could cause a strong geomagnetic storm that has the potential to disrupt satellites, power grids, the Internet, and more.
NASA says, “Sunspots are areas that appear dark on the surface of the Sun. They appear dark because they are cooler than other parts of the Sun’s surface. Even so, the temperature of sunspots is still very high—about 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit!” These sunspots are relatively cool because they form in regions where magnetic fields are especially strong on the Sun’s surface. These strong magnetic fields prevent some of the heat in the Sun from reaching the surface.
The Spaceweather.com report suggests that the current sunspot is so large that it’s even changing the way the sun vibrates. The Space Weather Prediction Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the geomagnetic field around Earth will be unstable over the weekend, which could disrupt the radio magnetic field.
“A high-speed stream of solar wind is approaching Earth. Estimated arrival time: August 9. Gaseous material flows from an equatorial hole in the solar atmosphere. High-latitude skywatchers should be on the lookout for auroras,” Spaceweather.com mentioned.
Space weather physicist Dr. Tamita Skov also tweeted to update us on the expected aurora lights in the coming days. Her tweet read: “My new #SpaceWeatherWoman forecast is here! Watch the massive prominence as it clings to life on the Sun’s eastern edge, learn about the major flare underperformer in Earth’s view, and see if the incoming fast #solarwind will bring us #aurora this week.”
Higher northern latitudes may see dazzling auroras due to the solar storm, but it is not yet clear whether it will develop into a massive geomagnetic storm or not.
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