Space weather experts have shed light on the recent powerful geomagnetic storm. However, the impact of the solar storm is still active which may lead to a G1-class geomagnetic storm. Here is what is expected.
Sun Unleashes Powerful Solar Storm: Earth Braces for Strong Geomagnetic Disturbance
Something unusual happened this week with the Solar activity. A powerful solar storm hit the Earth to bring a strong Geomagnetic Storm. As per a space weather expert, Dr. Tamitha Skov, the solar storm was the fastest-moving storm at 800 km/sec that she has seen since Solar Cycle 23. As predicted by space weather experts, a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth’s magnetic field on March 24th, causing a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm – the strongest since September 2017, SpaceWeather.com reported. A coronal mass ejection is a massive cloud of plasma and magnetic field that erupts from the Sun‘s corona, the outermost atmosphere of the Sun.
According to reports, the impact opened a crack in our planet’s magnetosphere, allowing the charged particles from the solar eruption to interact with Earth’s magnetic field, triggering the intense geomagnetic disturbance. While the initial impact hit hard enough to bring the storm up to G4 levels, the Earth’s magnetic field flipped northward, temporarily diminishing the visibility of auroras.
Sun’s Fury: Continued Threat
Giant shape-shifting sunspot AR3615 poses a continued threat to Earth-directed solar flares. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters, there is a 25% chance of X-flares, the most powerful class of solar flares, occurring today and tomorrow. If this sunspot erupts, skywatchers in Europe and the USA could be treated to another display of auroras this week.
The latest NOAA forecast for the coming days even indicates that G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming is likely on March 26th due to remaining CME effects. Geomagnetic storms, ranging from G1 to G5, indicate different levels of disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field due to solar activity. At the lower end, G1 storms are minor, causing minimal impacts on magnetic fields and technological systems, leading to minor fluctuations in power systems and weak disturbances in satellite operations. On the other hand, G5 storms, the most intense, pose significant risks, causing widespread voltage control problems, extensive disruptions in satellite operations, and visible auroras even at low latitudes.
Not just that, R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts are expected from March 26th to 28th, with a chance for an isolated R3 (Strong) event due to the flare potential from Region 3615.
Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
