How the Sun breaks the Earth with geomagnetic storms and how it threatens people: explanation

Inna Vasilyuk News03.10.2024 12:53

A powerful flare occurred on the Sun. Source: NASA

Thesunspot AR3842 flared up on Tuesday evening, October 2, and caused the second most powerful explosion in the last five years on the surface of the hot star. The flare caused disruption of radio signals over Hawaii.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the coronal mass ejection (CME) will reach Earth on October 5 in the morning or mid-afternoon and cause a strong geomagnetic storm. In addition to the possible disruption of radio signals and communications, weather-sensitive people may experience a deterioration in their health, DailyMail writes.

Solar flares and their intensity

According to NASA, a class X7.1 solar flare occurred on Tuesday. X is the largest class of solar flares that can cause radio communications to be disrupted around the globe and serious damage to satellites, spacecraft, and power grids, experts warn.

How the Sun breaks the Earth with geomagnetic storms and how it threatens people: explanation

Experts emphasize that October 2 was the second largest solar flare in the last five years. It caused an explosion of radiation through the Earth's magnetosphere, ionizing the upper atmosphere and causing a temporary radio blackout in a wide area over the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii.

This solar flare also sent a CME hurtling toward Earth at a speed of approximately 1300 kilometers per second. So NASA warns that this explosion of solar radiation will hit our planet between Saturday and Sunday and cause geomagnetic storms.

Harmful effects of a CME

Just like solar flares, these storms can also cause radio communications to go out, disrupt satellite communications, and damage power grids.

Despite the fact that harmful radiation is absorbed by our atmosphere, weather-sensitive people feel unwell during strong geomagnetic storms.

Scientists classify geomagnetic storms by their power level - the K-index - from 2 to 9. The higher the K-index, the stronger the storm and its impact on people.

To reduce the impact of a magnetic storm on the body, experts advise eating healthy food, exercising, and avoiding stress. Also, do not forget to go outside in the evening to see the northern lights, which often occur after powerful solar flares.

According to spaceweather.com, the Sun has already fired 41 Class X solar flares this year. This is more than in the last nine years combined. After all, on average, class X solar flares occur only about 10 times a year.

Experts warn that the solar maximum could last at least another year. So in 2025, we will see even more intense solar flares, CMEs, and geomagnetic storms hitting our planet.