While Earth is still recovering... a new solar storm hits Earth

Arabia Weather - While the planet Earth is still recovering from the recent solar storm that struck it in recent days, scientists are warning of a new solar storm currently hitting the Earth.

Several areas witnessed the previous solar storm, and its impact was evident through the formation of the colors of the aurora borealis , which appeared in unusual places. This occurs due to the interaction of charged particles with atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere on a large scale.

To learn what a solar storm is , click here

The interaction of the Sun's dynamic magnetic field with the solar wind resulting from continuous explosions

Because of it, a crowned, vortex-like structure is formed surrounding the sun, through which solar magnetic storms are launched and sometimes hit the Earth.

Source: (NASA)

A graph describing the intensity of the magnetic winds that have struck the Earth in the past few days

How did a dangerous exceedance of the normal level of radiation flux occur?

Source: (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

The sun constantly emits electromagnetic rays containing large amounts of charged particles. However, the amount of these particles is affected by the strength of solar activity and the explosions that occur on its surface.

These charged particles are sent off by the solar wind in all directions, and when they collide with the Earth, the magnetic field and the planet’s atmosphere interact with them, preventing them from reaching the surface. However, satellites may be exposed to damage, and communication with them may be cut off for a period, or they may be exposed to permanent malfunctions.

Because of the sun's continuous rotation around itself, a curvature occurs in the sun's magnetic fields, resulting in a spiral structure known as the "Parker spiral" or heliospheric current, which is similar to the ripples that emanate in space, and sometimes these ripples carry charged particles as a result of high solar activity, and if The planet is in the path of this "wave", it collides with it.

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Due to the solar storm... a disruption in Starlink services that provide Internet services via satellite

A new solar magnetic storm hits the Earth

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that Earth is now experiencing another solar radiation storm due to its current location, and the solar storms are expected to disappear in the next few days.

While the US Space Agency announced that the recent solar explosion, which released charged particles, is considered the most powerful during the current solar cycle, which is about 11 years. This solar explosion ranks fifth and highest on the scale of solar explosions in terms of intensity, and is classified as “X.” The source of the latest explosion is sunspot AR 3664, which is five times the size of Earth.

Region 3664, now over the southwest limb, produced another X-class flare at 0837 UTC. Significant magnetic looping remains visible above the region, suggesting additional strong flares are possible despite its far-side location. pic.twitter.com/QTZTxlIGZx

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 15, 2024

What are the effects of the new solar storm?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns of the possibility of interruptions in some radio communications at the Earth's poles, given that they are the weakest points in the Earth's magnetosphere. Witnesses have reported that interruptions in satellite positioning devices (Global Navigation System) have already occurred over the past few days. Because of the solar magnetic storm.

A comparison between the size of the Earth (top of the image) and the size of the sunspots from which the last solar explosion erupted

(JPMA JOR)

See also:

Is the big solar storm over?

What do the colors of the Aurora Borealis indicate?

Sources:

noaa

aljazeera