Double Trouble: Sun hurls powerful coronal mass ejections at Earth; radio blackouts, GPS disruptions, auroras likely over the weekend!
Oct 4, 2024, 14:38 IST
Earthlings, brace yourselves for a double punch from the Sun! Two massive coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are headed our way, following a series of intense solar flares from the active sunspot AR3842.
The peak of the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle is just around the corner and our star is no better than a cranky baby that can be set off at the slightest provocation. As we approach this solar maximum, expected in 2025, sunspots, solar flares and CMEs become more frequent.
Sunspots like AR3842 — the cause for the most recent attacks — are areas of intense magnetic activity, often serving as the launchpads for powerful flares and CMEs. And CMEs are massive expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona.
On October 3rd, it produced the most powerful solar flare of Solar Cycle 25 to date, classified as an X9.1. This intense burst of radiation ionised the Earth's upper atmosphere, and has since caused a temporary radio blackout over Africa and the South Atlantic. That’s not all, it has also spit out two back-to-back CMEs.
The first CME is expected to hit our planet today, October 4, potentially sparking moderate geomagnetic storms. However, the real fireworks are anticipated on October 6 — when the second, more powerful CME arrives. This solar storm could trigger strong G3-class geomagnetic storms, which could lead to stunning auroras at mid-latitudes.
Images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) confirm the CME's potency, aligning with NOAA's forecasts for a strong geomagnetic storm.
As these powerful solar storms approach, officials are trying their best to stay updated on the latest information and be prepared for potential disruptions. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and be ready for the possibility of auroras, especially if you live in higher latitudes.
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The peak of the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle is just around the corner and our star is no better than a cranky baby that can be set off at the slightest provocation. As we approach this solar maximum, expected in 2025, sunspots, solar flares and CMEs become more frequent.
Sunspots like AR3842 — the cause for the most recent attacks — are areas of intense magnetic activity, often serving as the launchpads for powerful flares and CMEs. And CMEs are massive expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona.
On October 3rd, it produced the most powerful solar flare of Solar Cycle 25 to date, classified as an X9.1. This intense burst of radiation ionised the Earth's upper atmosphere, and has since caused a temporary radio blackout over Africa and the South Atlantic. That’s not all, it has also spit out two back-to-back CMEs.
The first CME is expected to hit our planet today, October 4, potentially sparking moderate geomagnetic storms. However, the real fireworks are anticipated on October 6 — when the second, more powerful CME arrives. This solar storm could trigger strong G3-class geomagnetic storms, which could lead to stunning auroras at mid-latitudes.
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As these powerful solar storms approach, officials are trying their best to stay updated on the latest information and be prepared for potential disruptions. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and be ready for the possibility of auroras, especially if you live in higher latitudes.