The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for July 24th, prompted by a massive solar eruption.
A coronal mass ejection (CME), a burst of plasma and magnetic field, erupted from the sun on July 21st and is currently hurtling towards Earth. This CME is anticipated to reach our planet on July 24th, potentially triggering a geomagnetic storm.
While the exact timing of the CME's arrival remains uncertain, some experts predict it might arrive slightly later due to the "slow solar wind traffic" and a preceding glancing storm.
CMEs carry electrically charged particles called ions. Upon collision with Earth's magnetosphere, they can ignite geomagnetic storms, causing ions to interact with Earth's atmospheric gases and release energy in the form of light. This phenomenon manifests as the mesmerizing northern lights (aurora borealis) in the Northern Hemisphere and the southern lights (aurora australis) in the Southern Hemisphere.
NOAA classifies geomagnetic storms using a G-scale, ranging from G1 (minor) to G5 (most extreme). The current geomagnetic storm watch issued by NOAA is classified as a G2-class, signifying moderate intensity.
Similar to Earth's weather, space weather is unpredictable. While geomagnetic storm warnings are common, some storms fizzle out before reaching Earth. As we approach July 24th, space weather forecasters will gain a clearer picture of the CME's arrival, if it occurs at all.
While aurora chasers eagerly anticipate the CME's arrival, hoping for a direct hit that would produce spectacular auroral displays, others are less enthusiastic.
CMEs can disrupt our technological infrastructure and pose a risk to satellites and astronauts in low Earth orbit. They can induce surges in electrical currents, potentially overloading power grids and causing blackouts. CMEs can also disrupt radio transmissions and increase radio static in Earth's ionosphere by jostling Earth's magnetic field.
In space, high-energy particles from the CME can damage satellites in low Earth orbit. The CME's heat can cause Earth's atmosphere to expand, creating a denser medium for satellites to navigate. This increased drag can slow satellites and cause their orbits to lower.
Astronauts, while protected by the magnetosphere and the spacecraft's structure, are exposed to higher radiation levels during a CME event compared to those on Earth.
For the latest space weather alerts and forecasts, visit NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
