Tag: aurora

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Solar storm 2024: Geomagnetic storm sparks stunning auroras around the Arctic Circle

Solar storm 2024: As we approach the solar maximum, the Sun's activity is expected to increase further. The Sun has been showing its might in the last few weeks, with dangerous X-class solar flares spewing out on multiple occasions. All these solar phenomena hold the potential to cause damage on Earth to the electrical infrastructure. Technological instruments are especially at risk during these events, resulting in power blackouts and even disruption of radio communication. Just days after a G1-class geomagnetic storm hit Earth, another triggered auroras on March 3. Solar stormAccording to a report by spaceweather.com, a CME was hurled into space on February 28 by the Sun when a magnetic filament erupted that was connected to sunspot AR3592. Although it was initially not expected to h...
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Solar storm alert! Sunspot AR3590 sparks aurora anticipation amid geomagnetic storm fears

In a celestial dance that has both scientists and skywatchers excited, the colossal Sunspot AR3590, which recently unleashed the most potent solar flare in over half a decade towards Earth, is now beginning to wane as it rotates to the far side of the Sun. Despite its current retreat, experts warn of a potential resurgence in two weeks, reigniting concerns about a geomagnetic storm. Although a scheduled Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) predicted to interact with Earth's magnetic field on March 2nd has yet to materialize, NOAA forecasters speculate that it might be belatedly en route, possibly impacting our planet on March 3rd. Celestial Light ShowIf this cosmic rendezvous occurs, the Arctic Circle is expected to be adorned with vibrant aurora display, illuminating the polar skies, as report...
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How this most intense geomagnetic storm that brought auroras to Ladakh was tracked by Indian astronomers

In late-April 2023, Earth experienced a powerful geomagnetic storm that illuminated the skies with mesmerizing auroras, even in lower latitudes like Ladakh in India. Mostly, these auroras are restricted to the North Pole and northern regions of the world, but this geomagnetic storm was so powerful that it generated auroras that could be seen as far South as in Ladakh. Now, Indian astronomers have traced the origins of this intense storm back to the Sun. Notably, they used data collected from multiple space telescopes operating across different wavelengths. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs), massive eruptions of ionized gas and magnetic fields from the Sun, are known to trigger geomagnetic storms when they interact with Earth's magnetic field. These storms can have significant impacts on te...
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Solar storm approaching Earth soon, set to hit on January 1! Auroras to be visible in high latitudes

With 2024 approaching, the frequency of solar storms, solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and other solar phenomena is set to increase. According to various models and predictions by scientists, the solar cycle 25 will enter the peak of solar maximum in mid-2024. Solar maximum is when the Sun has the highest number of sunspots (active areas of solar flares). These sunspots are what send these vicious solar storms toward the Earth. A recent report has suggested that a solar storm is set to hit Earth and there's a chance that it will generate auroras. Know all about it.Solar storm todayAccording to Space Weather Physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov, a solar storm was launched towards Earth on December 25. It will result in fast solar winds that are expected to boost solar flares and solar storm acti...
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Solar winds moving towards the Earth to trigger solar storm today reveals NOAA; Check details

The previous week was chaotic when it came to solar activities. Two different instances of solar storms occurred on Earth, triggered by large clouds of three coronal mass ejections (CME). The Sun has been particularly active, as it is nearing the peak of its solar cycle, and it does not appear to be stopping. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a large stream of solar winds is headed toward the Earth and will hit today, December 5. It is expected to spark a minor solar storm that can cause aurora lights in the higher latitudes.According to a report by SpaceWeather.com, “NOAA forecasters have downgraded the current geomagnetic storm watch from G2 (Moderate) to G1 (Minor). This is in response to the late arrival of a solar wind stream flowing from a h...
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Two CMEs hit Earth, spark extra strong solar storm; NASA model shows more could be on the way

The solar activity on Earth has intensified. Yesterday, December 1, it was reported that a second coronal mass ejection (CME) was headed for the Earth which could turn the ongoing solar storm even more intense, and exactly that happened. A few hours earlier, the second CME made an impact and sparked an incredibly powerful G3-class solar storm. The storm resulted in some of the brightest aurora displays seen across the world. While it has begun subsiding slowly, a NASA model has shown that more CMEs are headed toward the Earth and might make contact with our magnetosphere before the end of the day.According to a report by Spaceweather.com, “One and possibly two CMEs hit Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 1st, sparking a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm. At the apex of the event, just befor...
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Sun releases multiple CMEs; One to spark solar storm, trigger auroras on Nov 25, says NASA

Solar activity has witnessed a massive spike since last week. Space agencies and researchers have noted regular solar flare eruptions, an increase in the number of sunspots, and bombardment of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). While not all of this solar activity is Earth-directed, some of it has affected our planet as well. In the last 24 hours, there have been two incidents of short-wave radio blackouts sparked by M-class solar flare eruptions, and now, NASA has revealed that a CME is also headed for us. It can hit us on November 25 and spar auroras, as per early readings by prediction models. According to a report by SpaceWeather.com, “Just today multiple overlapping CMEs have billowed away from the Sun. A NASA model already suggests one may be heading for Earth…could hit our planet's ...
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Earth to suffer direct CME hit, new NASA model reveals; To spark solar storm and auroras

Yesterday, the NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) detected a coronal mass ejection (CME) that appeared to be coming towards the Earth. The early assessment revealed that it could hit the Earth in the late hours of November 11, although it wasn't clear whether the strike would be a direct one or a glancing blow. Earlier today, NASA ran the data through its prediction model and we have a much clearer picture of what is to come. The CME is now expected to hit the Earth tomorrow, November 12. It is also expected to be a head-on collision, and the solar storm can reach an intensity of G2-class.Tamitha Skov, space weather physicist, and solar storm enthusiast, posted on her X account about the NASA model and said, “A #Solarstorm Encore: A new direct hit comes! NOAA & NASA mod...
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Extremely RARE auroras sparked by solar storm captured over India

Earth faced a triple threat from CMEs that were hurled out by the Sun on November 5, and 6, and all of them hit the planet. This sparked a dangerous G3-class geomagnetic storm. Interestingly, the effects of the solar storm did not subside until November 7 and in fact it deteriorated just a little to a G2-class storm. Unlike G1 or G2 solar storms which are minor, G3 storms have the potential to cause drag in the upper atmosphere and push smaller satellites around, causing both disruption of signals as well as damage to sensitive instruments. While no such incidents were reported this time, the G3 solar storm caused stunning auroras that were visible in various parts of the world, including in Ladakh, India.Rare aurorasThe Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) which is operated by the In...
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NASA SOHO spots CME headed for Earth tomorrow; Solar storm may spark auroras, radio blackouts

Even with just six Earth-facing active sunspots on the Sun, the solar activity in the last fortnight has been more intense than many months combined this year. This is the second most intense solar storm spell we have seen since March when two G3-class storms were spotted in the same month. To make matters worse, it is not likely to stop anytime soon. The NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has detected a halo-shaped coronal mass ejection (CME) headed towards the Earth. The data highlights that it will make strike the Earth tomorrow, November 11, in the late hours, triggering a solar storm that can be as intense as G2-class.According to a report by SpaceWeather.com, “Coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) detected a halo CME leaving the sun. It is...