Massive Solar Storm Is Approaching Earth, Blackouts And Auroras Expected

The scientific community is currently focused on the Sun, as it nearing its peak level of activity in the current 11-year cycle. Spectacular aurora displays, such as the one witnessed on May 10, 2024, can result from these solar eruptions on Earth. Moreover, they have the potential to trigger radio blackouts. Sunspot AR3664, currently active, was responsible for a significant solar flare that generated the most intense auroras seen in 20 years. The storm originating from this sunspot on May 27 was classified as a class X2.8 event by NASA’s spaceweather.com, marking it as one of the most extreme solar phenomena observed in recent years.

NASA reports that on May 29, 2024, the Sun produced another solar flare that peaked at 10:37 a.m. ET. The flare, which was photographed by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, was categorised as X1.4.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a related coronal mass ejection (CME) created by Region 3697 earlier is projected to boost the planet’s magnetic field around late May 31 and June 1 (UTC).

There is a moderate-level G2 geomagnetic storm with a higher chance of radio blackouts, according to the Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC).

The aurora may be seen throughout several northern and upper Midwest states, ranging from New York to Idaho, during a G2 magnetic storm.

Furthermore, radio transmission at higher latitudes may experience lag. This means that radio transmissions between certain regions on Earth may be impacted by this storm due to the ionosphere in the affected areas.

On a scale ranging from G1 minor to G5 extreme, a G2 geomagnetic storm is regarded as a moderate solar event. According to Ryan French, an academic at the National Solar Observatory who studies solar flares, it will be in perfect position to hit us again between around June 4 and June 6.

French stated on X that “the region is clearly still capable of producing X-class flare events,” which are the strongest sort.

In fact, it did so on Memorial Day and again on May 29.

“But the question is whether it can do so with the same magnitude and frequency as it did earlier this month.”

What is a solar storm?

A solar storm is a type of solar disturbance that may spew massive quantities of energy out into space. It includes a variety of solar phenomena, such as CMEs and solar flares. CMEs are enormous bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields that rise above the solar corona or are expelled into space, whereas solar flares are abrupt bursts of enhanced light on the Sun.