Earth braces for massive solar storm that could knock out communications this week

Arab Weather - A strong geomagnetic storm is expected to hit the Earth this week after the sun launched a huge solar flare towards our planet. This storm may lead to power outages and communications disruptions, so it is important to be prepared.

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Solar eruption details

The solar flare was caused by activity from sunspot AR3842, a dark region on the sun's surface that contains strong magnetic fields. The flare, which occurred Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. ET, is the second-strongest solar flare in the past five years.

The explosion caused shortwave radio blackouts over Hawaii and sent a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. The CME is expected to reach Earth early on October 5.

Geomagnetic storm effects

When a coronal mass ejection hits Earth's magnetosphere, it can cause a powerful magnetic storm. This storm can cause power grid and radio outages and disrupt satellite communications. Solar flares are the largest explosive events in the solar system, and have a wide-ranging impact on the planet.

Solar storm classification

Tuesday's eruption was an X7.1 class, a high energy level that can cause widespread outages to radio, satellites and power grids. X-class solar flares are the largest and most powerful, followed by smaller classes such as M, C and B, with each class having a finer scale to measure the intensity of the flare.

This explosion is the second most powerful solar eruption to occur since the start of the sun's twenty-fifth solar cycle in December 2019.

Solar activity cycle

The solar cycle refers to the approximately 11-year cycle of solar activity that controls the fluctuations in the Sun's activity. Currently, we are in the phase of maximum solar activity, when solar flares and coronal mass ejections are increasing and during this period, solar storms occur with higher frequency and greater intensity.

Effects of geomagnetic storms

When coronal mass ejections strike Earth's magnetosphere, they can cause major disruptions, including the appearance of aurorae at unusual latitudes. These storms can also disrupt communications and radio and damage power grids.

Geomagnetic storms are classified on a scale from G1 (minor) to G5 (severe). More severe storms are rare, but they can have wider effects on Earth including widespread aurora borealis and damage to infrastructure.

Preparing for a solar storm

The geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth between Thursday, October 3 and Saturday, October 5. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a geomagnetic storm warning with a magnitude of G1 to G3 .

• Solar activity is on the rise

The Sun has shown a noticeable increase in activity this year. In 2019, scientists predicted that the Sun would reach its peak activity in July 2025, but the escalating events in 2024 indicated that this peak will occur earlier than expected.

So far, the sun has released 41 X-class flares this year, more than in the past nine years combined. The high solar activity is expected to continue through 2025, which means we could see more solar flares and geomagnetic storms in the near future.

How can you prepare?

1. Make sure sensitive electrical appliances are secured against any potential power outages.
2. Keep a backup power source for essential communications equipment.
3. Check local news for accurate warnings about the timing of the storm and its impact.

Remember, geomagnetic storms can be disruptive, but they also give us the opportunity to witness dazzling displays of aurora borealis , which can appear in unexpected places.

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Severe solar storms have occurred in the past, and if they return, their return will be disastrous for technology.