Impending Solar Storm Threatens Earth
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Impending Solar Storm Threatens Earth

The global scientific community is abuzz with the news of an impending severe geomagnetic storm predicted to hit Earth late Friday night, on May 10. A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that began on May 8 are expected to trigger northern auroras and possibly disrupt satellite communications, electric power grid, and even trigger GPS problems.

Astronomers around the world pointed their telescopes at the sun on Friday, marveling at the abnormally large sunspots ever seen on the surface of the local star. The unusual solar activity gave rise to many theories and speculations regarding the impact of the colossal charged mass on Earth.

The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), of the US? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said it is closely monitoring the solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The forecasters issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the evening of Friday, May 10, a first such warning since 2005.

The flares were generated by a cluster of sunspots ? nearly 200,000 kilometers wide ? big enough to be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The size of the sunspot is being compared to the Carrington event of 1859, which gave rise to the most severe geomagnetic storm ever recorded on Earth.

The coronal mass ejection involved the production of numerous M-class solar flares and two X-class solar flares expected to arrive on Earth between late May 10 and early May 11, 2024.

The bursts of plasma and magnetic fields spewing out of the sun?s giant corona can cause geomagnetic storms upon hitting Earth?s atmosphere. According to NOAA, these storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth?s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio, and satellite operations.

Reportedly, the operators of these systems have been notified so they can take protective action.

The incoming bursts of solar mass are expected to unleash a magnetic storm that will overwhelm Earth?s magnetic field. The impact is likely going to be also felt by the vast network of undersea optic fiber cables that form the backbone of the internet. Experts say this could lead to massive internet outages across the world, possibly an ?internet apocalypse.?

The colorful auroras, witnessed in the upper atmosphere in some countries, are triggered by such geomagnetic storms. The current train of powerful solar flares is expected to create such auroras as to be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California.

The scientists say the incoming solar storm will impact the infrastructure in Earth?s near orbit, consisting of satellites. In case of severe flares, the satellites could be dislodged from the orbits or bump into each other and lose communication with Earth. The impact of the plasma bursts could damage the electronic components of the satellites in the upper orbits.

Called the Carrington event, the solar storm hitting Earth in 1859 was the most severe geostorm that wreaked havoc with the telegraph systems. The auroras activated by the powertrain of plasma discharge were seen as far as the tropics, according to NASA.

According to History.com, there were reports of sparks showering from telegraph machines, operators receiving electric shocks, and papers set ablaze by the rogue sparks. The skies were blindingly bright, with some people bewildered by the brilliant spectacle of light overwhelming the skies. For many, it seemed to be the end of the world, the report adds.

However, a geostorm of that magnitude will wreak havoc with human life today, where everything is run by electronics. ?The global economy today comprises numerous sectors that can be affected. From space-based telecommunications, broadcasting, terrestrial weather services, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) navigation, through to electric power distribution and High-Frequency (HF) radio communications, especially at high latitudes?, says the European Space Agency?s Weather Service Network.

While the timing of these events remains fairly certain, the magnitude of their effects on our planet?s geomagnetic field is still a subject of speculation, says Earth.com. The website claims ?it is crucial to remain vigilant and prepared for any challenges that may arise from this cosmic dance between the Sun and Earth.?

The global scientific community is abuzz with the news of an impending severe geomagnetic storm predicted to hit Earth late Friday night, on May 10. A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that began on May 8 are expected to trigger northern auroras and possibly disrupt satellite communications, electric power grid, and even trigger GPS problems. Astronomers around the world pointed their telescopes at the sun on Friday, marveling at the abnormally large sunspots ever seen on the surface of the local star. The unusual solar activity gave rise to many theories and speculations regarding the impact of the colossal charged mass on Earth. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), of the US? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said it is closely monitoring the solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The forecasters issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the evening of Friday, May 10, a first such warning since 2005. The flares were generated by a cluster of sunspots ? nearly 200,000 kilometers wide ? big enough to be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The size of the sunspot is being compared to the Carrington event of 1859, which gave rise to the most severe geomagnetic storm ever recorded on Earth. The coronal mass ejection involved the production of numerous M-class solar flares and two X-class solar flares expected to arrive on Earth between late May 10 and early May 11, 2024. The bursts of plasma and magnetic fields spewing out of the sun?s giant corona can cause geomagnetic storms upon hitting Earth?s atmosphere. According to NOAA, these storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth?s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio, and satellite operations. Reportedly, the operators of these systems have been notified so they can take protective action. The incoming bursts of solar mass are expected to unleash a magnetic storm that will overwhelm Earth?s magnetic field. The impact is likely going to be also felt by the vast network of undersea optic fiber cables that form the backbone of the internet. Experts say this could lead to massive internet outages across the world, possibly an ?internet apocalypse.? The colorful auroras, witnessed in the upper atmosphere in some countries, are triggered by such geomagnetic storms. The current train of powerful solar flares is expected to create such auroras as to be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California. The scientists say the incoming solar storm will impact the infrastructure in Earth?s near orbit, consisting of satellites. In case of severe flares, the satellites could be dislodged from the orbits or bump into each other and lose communication with Earth. The impact of the plasma bursts could damage the electronic components of the satellites in the upper orbits. Called the Carrington event, the solar storm hitting Earth in 1859 was the most severe geostorm that wreaked havoc with the telegraph systems. The auroras activated by the powertrain of plasma discharge were seen as far as the tropics, according to NASA. According to History.com, there were reports of sparks showering from telegraph machines, operators receiving electric shocks, and papers set ablaze by the rogue sparks. The skies were blindingly bright, with some people bewildered by the brilliant spectacle of light overwhelming the skies. For many, it seemed to be the end of the world, the report adds. However, a geostorm of that magnitude will wreak havoc with human life today, where everything is run by electronics. ?The global economy today comprises numerous sectors that can be affected. From space-based telecommunications, broadcasting, terrestrial weather services, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) navigation, through to electric power distribution and High-Frequency (HF) radio communications, especially at high latitudes?, says the European Space Agency?s Weather Service Network. While the timing of these events remains fairly certain, the magnitude of their effects on our planet?s geomagnetic field is still a subject of speculation, says Earth.com. The website claims ?it is crucial to remain vigilant and prepared for any challenges that may arise from this cosmic dance between the Sun and Earth.?

Next Story
Technology

We’re building robots that flow, not just move

Founded in 2021, Flo Mobility is reimagining construction automation with vision-AI robots designed for seamless movement through complex sites. In conversation with CW, Manesh Jain, Founder & CEO, discusses the company’s origin, its LiDAR-free tech stack, and expansion plans in the Middle East and US.What inspired the name Flo Mobility? Why ‘Flo’ and not ‘Flow’?When we started the company in 2021, our focus was on building autonomous navigation systems for robots. Since our work centred around robot movement, ‘mobility’ naturally became part of the name. We wanted to co..

Next Story
Real Estate

We’re committed to setting benchmarks in sustainable luxury living

From a landmark land acquisition in Boisar to ambitious launches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune, Birla Estates is driving future-ready growth with a strong focus on sustainability, partnerships and premium living, firmly anchored in its LifeDesigned® philosophy. K T Jithendran, Managing Director & CEO, outlines the company’s premium, sustainable growth playbook in conversation with PRATAP PADODE, Editor-in-Chief, CW. Excerpts:Birla Estates recently acquired a 70.92-acre land parcel in Boisar, Maharashtra, for..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Mumbai’s land crunch and ageing homes call for structured renewal

Founded in 2022, Etonhurst Capital Partners is a real-estate fund management platform focused on the Indian market. As the firm achieves the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its debut Rs 5 billion fund, Bamasish Paul, Co-founder, Managing Partner & CEO, discusses its sharp focus on redevelopment-driven value creation in Mumbai’s urban core with CW. Excerpts:Etonhurst Capital has achieved a significant milestone with the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its Rs 5 billion fund. What factors contributed to this early success and how do you plan to attract further investments to r..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?