Strong solar winds have been observed blowing towards the Earth. Could the planet be at risk of a geomagnetic storm?
Earth has been within range of solar storms and more recently when the Sun was near the middle of its 11-year solar cycle. This has resulted in increased solar activity. Earth has faced many solar flares over the past few months, and more are expected as the Sun moves forward in its cycle. NOAA forecasters have revealed that Earth is at risk of a geomagnetic storm soon.
According to spaceweather.com, the solar wind blows towards The earth is the result of hot gaseous matter escaping from a canyon-like hole in the Sun’s atmosphere. This crater is called a Sunspot. Spaceweather.com report said, “A high-velocity solar wind is approaching Earth. Gaseous material is flowing from a canyon-like hole in the sun’s atmosphere. Small G1 layer. geomagnetic storm can happen when the solar wind arrives.”
solar wind effect
Solar particles tend to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and cause geomagnetic storms. When solar particles hit the Earth, radio communications and power grids can be affected. It can cause power outages and radio blackouts for several hours or even days. However, grid failure only occurs if solar flame is extremely large.
According to the K-index, which measures the magnetic field around the Earth, solar storms are divided into 5 categories from G-1 to G-5. G-1 is the lowest impact solar class G5 is given for the most severe solar storms.
Auroras form as a result of Coronal Mass Eruptions (CMEs) from the Sun sending solar energy straight towards Earth. Geomagnetic storms are often the precursors to beautiful streaks of blue light in the sky known as the Aurora Borealis.
NASA mission to study solar activity
NASA has a mission to study the rising activity of the Sun. NASA’s SunRISE mission, which stands for Solar Radio Interferometer Space Experiment, is an upcoming mission slated to launch in 2024 to study and determine how energetic particle explosions occur. Huge amounts of energy originate from the Sun and grow as they expand into space.
The mission will observe low radio frequency emissions to better understand the generation of Solar Storms as well as other explosive space events. This research will help scientists predict space weather, improve our understanding of how the Sun works, and could be applicable to studies of other stars.
