Earth Experiences Solar Storm After Multiple Solar Flares, Expected to Last 48 Hours
This week witnessed a series of intense solar activities. It started with an X-class solar flare eruption that resulted in two separate coronal mass ejections (CME). Fortunately, a cannibal CME narrowly missed the Earth. Additionally, there were multiple M-class and X-class solar flare eruptions on the Sun throughout the week, all of which emitted solar particles towards our planet. These excessive solar particles have gradually reached Earth, leading to a solar storm event that could last for 24 to 48 hours. It has been years since we last experienced a prolonged solar storm of this magnitude. Now, let’s examine the potential impact it may have on us.
According to a SpaceWeather.com report, “Energetic solar protons are hitting Earth’s upper atmosphere today. Recent series of X- and M-class solar flares accelerated them in our direction. The main effect of this solar radiation storm (class S1) is a shortwave radio outage inside the Arctic Circle (map). The storm is expected to last another 24-48 hours.
A long-lasting solar storm hits the earth
Usually, when a solar storm occurs, it is caused by CMEs that transport both energized solar matter and plasma. These are smaller in number and stronger and can cause strong storms for a shorter period of time.
However, right now we are being bombarded by charged proton particles that are enormous in size. These are sometimes also called the solar wind. In the series of solar flares this week, such subatomic particles must have been released in huge quantities. And that’s why this solar storm is expected to last so long.
In particular, these particles are also the weakest in creating a solar storm. This storm is located largely in the Arctic Circle and the biggest impact has been a shortwave radio outage in the area. There have been no reports of damaged satellites, effects on GPS or cell phone networks, internet disruptions, or effects on power grids. However, we will have to wait and see if there is any cumulative effect at the end of the 48 hours.
NOAA’s Technical Arsenal
One of the major entities that monitor and predict such atmospheric disturbances is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It has an arsenal of satellites floating around the globe that observe our planet and outer space to analyze and understand what causes various weather phenomena. One such technological marvel is the NOAA-20 satellite. It is a polar-orbiting, non-geosynchronous environmental satellite that is part of the Joint Polar Satellite System.
It crosses the equator about 14 times a day and provides full global coverage twice a day. This gives the meteorologist information about atmospheric temperature and humidity, clouds, sea surface temperature, ocean color, sea ice cover, volcanic ash, fire detection, and more.
