NASA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the world might suffer from a radio blackout on May 10 due to a minor solar storm that passed across Earth on May 7. It's been a few months since the Sun showed increased activity signs.
Several intense solar flares are now being generated by the Sun, coupled with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Whenever coronal mass ejections (CMEs) pass across the Earth, Mashable said the planet's magnetic shield is squeezed, resulting in geomagnetic storms. However, this occurs only momentarily, and things return to normal after a while.
CMEs alter radio waves, and their effect can potentially destroy satellites and electrical systems. Large CMEs, on the other hand, can cause severe storms. After the CME is launched from the Sun, it takes 15 to 18 hours to reach the Earth. Two months prior, a massive CME known as the "cannibal CME" struck the planet.
IN SPACE - JUNE 5: In this handout image provided by NASA, the SDO satellite captures a ultra-high definition image of the Transit of Venus across the face of the sun at on June 5, 2012 from space. The last transit was in 2004 and the next pair of events will not happen again until the year 2117 and 2125.
Solar Flare Erupted Last May 7
SpaceWeather.com's space specialists explained: "A magnetic filament on the Sun erupted May 7, hurling a CME into space."
"NOAA analysts say it might deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on May 10."
"This is a low confidence forecast. Minor geomagnetic storms are possible if/when the CME arrives."
Experts say there's still a chance the solar flare won't impact Earth, but if it does, a solar storm is probable.
The Sun unleashing a spectacular solar flare and coronal mass ejection, captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft.
— Wonder of Science (@wonderofscience) May 3, 2022
Credit: NASA/GSFC pic.twitter.com/3cICiw999w
The Sun has been spewing CMEs at a higher-than-normal rate for several months, including a massive "cannibal CME."
Live Science said two CMEs fused into one slammed into Earth in late March. This type of solar activity is expected when the Sun approaches solar maximum, the moment in its 11-year cycle when it is most active.
The next solar maximum will occur between November 2024 and March 2026, with plenty more solar weather on the way, according to NOAA.
Solar Flare To Affect Earth, Astronauts in ISS
The Sun is presently sizzling with intense solar flares, sometimes accompanied by enormous plasma explosions known as coronal mass ejections, continuing a months-long trend of increased activity (CMEs).
CMEs can momentarily compress Earth's magnetic shield, causing geomagnetic storms that can knock down power systems, distort radio signals, and destroy satellites in their path.
According to NOAA, the great majority of geomagnetic storms are light. NASA said the greatest CMEs might cause considerably more severe storms, such as the famed 1859 Carrington Event, which caused intense electrical currents that telegraph equipment caught fire.
Another solar storm of such size, according to some experts, could plunge Earth into a "cyber apocalypse," taking nations offline for weeks or months. The Sun said some create radio outages and potentially endanger astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).
The intensity of each solar storm that impacts Earth is assigned. Migrating animals that rely on the Earth's magnetic field for orientation might be confused by a mild storm.
Solar storms have the potential to generate beautiful natural light displays, such as the northern lights.
Auroras are natural light displays that occur when the Earth's magnetosphere is blasted by the solar wind, resulting in spectacular green and blue light shows.
The Earth's magnetic field protects humans from the more severe effects of solar flares.
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