On the night of May 10-11, it was possible to observe the northern lights even in mid-latitudes, where it is usually impossible to see them. The reason is a powerful geomagnetic storm, which arose due to solar flares and the ejection of solar plasma. However, it is too early to say that everything is over. Since there were several emissions, we may be expecting an even more powerful geomagnetic storm in the coming hours. It is quite possible that it will be the strongest since 1859, when the Carrington event occurred. If this is really the case, the consequences could be catastrophic, even leading to a global blackout.
In many parts of the planet, people are now seeing the northern lights. Photo source: /www.dw.com
What happened on the Sun
As we have previously told, solar storms are preceded by the appearance of sunspots. By following the link you can find out what sunspots are and why they occur. From the sunspots, a coronal mass is ejected, which, upon reaching the Earth, begins to interact with the magnetic field, which leads to a magnetic storm. We have already talked about why and how this happens.
A similar situation occurred this time – a giant sunspot AR3664 formed on the Sun, which can be seen even with the naked eye if you wear dark sunglasses. Its diameter is 16-17 times larger than our planet. The spot caused several coronal mass ejections at once. The first cloud of charged particles has already reached the Earth, which made it possible to observe the northern lights on the night of May 10-11. However, the remaining clouds are only now beginning to «storm» our planet.
The cause of the geomagnetic storm is a huge and extremely active sunspot on the Sun . Photo source: iflscience.com
A powerful geomagnetic storm awaits the Earth
It would seem that powerful geomagnetic storms happen quite often, but we often don’t even notice them. In addition, the Sun is currently experiencing the peak of an 11-year cycle of increased activity. Therefore, frequent magnetic storms at present are not something surprising. However, this time the situation is quite possibly not ordinary.
At least five AR3664 emissions were directed toward Earth. Presumably, three of them could combine into a “cannibal coronal mass ejection” when a later «cloud» moves faster than those released previously. Therefore, it catches up with them, merges with them and brings down a “tsunami” of plasma on the planets that are in its path.
NOAA experts have repeatedly raised their forecast regarding the level of the geomagnetic storm. Ultimately, it received the “emergency” level for the first time since 2003. The density of the solar wind can be about 100 particles per 1 cm³, and its speed will reach 900 km/sec. As mentioned above, it is possible that the geomagnetic storm will exceed the intensity of the Carrington event, also known as the «solar superstorm», which occurred in 1859.
During the Carrington event, the northern lights were observed even at the equator. Image source: ab-news.ru
What can happen on Earth due to a geomagnetic storm
The last powerful geomagnetic storm occurred on Earth on March 13-14, 1989, which was called the Quebec event. Then the solar flare was 3 times weaker than now, but it led to accidents at power plants and disruption of high-frequency radio communications throughout the planet.
The consequences of the current storm are already being seen. For example, as reported by Reuters, Starlink, a division of SpaceX, warned of a deterioration in the quality of service as satellites are exposed to severe geomagnetic storms.
SpaceX Starlink satellites are already experiencing communication problems
Problems may also arise with electronic devices and communication systems, failures in satellite navigation systems are possible, as well as failure of electrical equipment, which can lead to a blackout. In particular, there is a high probability of failure of transformers. For people, a magnetic storm is not so dangerous. The atmosphere and magnetosphere protect us from cosmic radiation. The only thing is that it is advisable to refuse air travel and hiking in the mountains, since the higher a person is, the greater the radiation dose he can receive.
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But despite all the dangers and problems that a geomagnetic storm brings, for many regions it is a unique chance to observe the northern lights with your own eyes. For example, during the Carrington event, the northern lights were observed even at the equator. This is a truly beautiful phenomenon, and it can be of different colors, depending on the gas with which charged particles interact in the atmosphere.