A significant solar storm, rated the second most powerful in five years, has caused the Aurora Borealis to be visible across the Northern Hemisphere. The event, which lasted over 42 hours and reached G4.7 intensity on the NOAA scale, disrupted communications and GPS systems, affecting technological systems and sensitive regions. Scientists from several countries reported that this major solar storm, originating from the same area as a more powerful occurrence two days earlier, was responsible for the severest solar storm since May 2024.
In a statement, the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences indicated that solar flares show no sign of abating but are rather in the ascendant. This development has caused the Aurora Borealis to be visible from areas as far south as Florida and Alabama, which is unusual for this phenomenon. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scale, this solar storm is classified as G4.7, with G5 being the highest scale denoting an ‘extreme’ event.
The British Geological Survey reported that the storm had disrupted communications and global positioning system (GPS) satellite accuracy. A geomagnetic storm occurs when charged particles from the sun’s atmosphere are sent hurtling toward our planet in coronal mass ejections. These massive blasts of plasma and magnetic field from the sun’s outer atmosphere into space can affect technology and sensitive individuals.
NASA highlighted the increased risk to astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), advising them to take cover in more protected compartments due to the higher risk of radioactivity posed by the incoming high-energy particles. The event is not just a visual spectacle but also has significant implications for space exploration and communication technologies.
The colorful display of the Aurora Borealis, typically confined to areas near the Arctic Circle, was a rare sight this week, with sightings across Canada and the US. The storm’s impact has also raised concerns about the potential effects on both technology and human health, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and preparedness.