UNITED STATES: As the United States celebrated Independence Day on July 4th, the sun itself put on a breathtaking display of fireworks in the form of two solar storms, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), observed by NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).
These powerful eruptions of ionized gas are partly directed towards Earth and will make an impact by Friday, July 7th. CMEs are massive ejections of plasma containing charged particles and their magnetic fields.
When these charged particles collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, they can trigger geomagnetic storms, potentially disrupting power grids, communication infrastructure, and satellite operations, including the global positioning system (GPS).
Space Weather physicist Tamitha Skov shared footage of the CMEs recorded by SOHO’s Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph Experiment (LASCO) on her Twitter feed. She described the approaching solar storms as a “1,2-punch,” with the second storm catching up to the first.
According to NASA’s predictions, the slower initial CME will arrive before 8 a.m. (EDT) on Friday, mainly heading northeast.
The second, faster CME will make a more direct hit on Earth, slightly veering southward. NASA expects its arrival in the early hours of July 7th.
Skov highlighted the possibility of a G-1 level geomagnetic storm, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines as a minor event that can cause fluctuations in power grids and impact spacecraft operations.
While the CMEs pose potential disruptions, they also offer the opportunity for a magnificent light show in the Earth’s atmosphere.
When charged particles travel along Earth’s magnetic field lines within the magnetosphere, they create vibrant and colourful displays known as auroras.
Typically visible only at high latitudes near the poles, these powerful CMEs could generate auroras that are visible at lower mid-latitudes.
The NOAA suggests that auroras connected to G-1 geomagnetic storms may be visible in the United States as far south as Michigan and Maine.
The residents of these regions could be treated to a dazzling natural spectacle as charged particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. As the sun’s fireworks captured our attention, the anticipation of the CMEs’ arrival and potential impact on Earth built.
Also Read: Aphelion: Exploring Earth’s Farthest Point from the Sun and Its Astronomical Significance
