Solar Storm Alert: Fresh Geomagnetic Storm Warning Issued, Earth Expected to be Hit on Thursday

A solar storm in the Sun has led to an approaching cannibal coronal mass ejection (CME), prompting the issuance of a new geomagnetic storm warning.

Earth is expected to be hit on Thursday, March 31.

Thus, large-scale disruption in digital communication, satellite signal, and electronics are highly likely.

The latest space weather phenomenon transpired after 17 solar flares were seen in a single sunspot caused by the constant solar activity from our solar system's only star.

Several days ago, Earth was struck by a previous magnetic storm on Sunday, March 27.

G3 Geomagnetic Storm Warning

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a renewed geomagnetic storm warning classified under the G3-class out of the five category levels used when measuring the severity and impact of CMEs.

Earth is expected to be hit by the solar radiation storm on Thursday, March 31.

The fresh warning will last until Saturday, April 2.

This means that in the next 72 hours from 12:00 a.m. EDT (local time) on Thursday, we may feel the potential impact of the approaching storm.

Although widespread disruption to electric technology is expected once again, the US space weather agency said that radio blackouts are possible from Thursday to Saturday.

This is due to the persistent solar flare activity from the Sun.

Moreover, aurora borealis or northern lights can be seen in some parts of the Northern United States and likely in other countries along the northern hemisphere.

Electronic Devices Affected

Geomagnetic storms cause a major disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field, also called the magnetosphere.

This happens when there is contact between a solar wind and Earth's atmosphere and the surrounding external environment, as per the NOAA - SWPC.

As a result, all electronic devices, including computers, mobile phones, radios, and television, that relies on the internet via satellite communications are at risk of being disrupted.

Furthermore, electrical infrastructures, such as power grids may also be affected, causing wide-scale power outages.

Risk to Air Travel

Although the repercussions of a G3-class magnetic storm are minimal to air travel, commercial planes and other aircraft are still at risk since solar radiation from the cannibal CME can still damage the aircraft system.

This is notably evident as it can specifically target the global positioning system (GPS) and satellite signal.

In addition, the Health Physics Society (HPS) also said radiation from solar storms, including solar flares also poses a risk to anyone on the airplane, including pilots and passengers.

This is reportedly more evident for aircraft flying at high altitudes.

What is Triggering These Events?

CMEs over recent years have indicated the gradual increase of solar activities in the Sun.

CMEs and solar flares are one of the many byproducts of a solar storm-characterized by massive explosions from the surface of the Sun.

In the latest event, a cannibal CME occurred when succeeding occurrences of a large solar flare follow an initial one, resulting in "tangled magnetic fields and compressed plasmas" which can lead to enormous geomagnetic storms, according to SpaceWeather.com, as cited by Sky News.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), solar flares are short-lived outbursts containing high-powered photons and particles.

Meanwhile, a CME is a massive explosion from the Sun's corona.

These space weather phenomena occur due to the continued solar activities, including disturbances in the Sun's magnetic field.

Due to the approaching geomagnetic storm, astronomers believe that Earth is embarking on a timeline of heightened solar storms with a peak in 2025.

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