HEADLINEKALTIM.CO – A strong solar storm is expected to hit Earth this weekend, adding to concerns about a power grid in the United States that has been disrupted by previous major storms. This solar storm has the potential to worsen existing conditions, according to reports by a number of American media.
The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a significant geomagnetic storm warning for Thursday (10/10) to Friday (11/10), as reported by Antaranews, after detecting a solar eruption earlier this week. Based on a report from CBS News on Wednesday (9/10), this storm could affect the performance of the electrical system and cause interference with radio signals in several areas.
In its warning, NOAA also appealed to power grid operators and satellite controllers to immediately take the necessary preventive measures to reduce the impact of this geomagnetic storm. Even so, weather experts predict that this storm will not be as strong as the solar storm that occurred last May—which was one of the strongest storms in the last two decades.
This geomagnetic storm is caused by intense solar activity, such as coronal eruptions or solar flares, which emit waves of electromagnetic radiation towards Earth. When these storms reach Earth’s atmosphere, they can disrupt our planet’s magnetic field. This is what has the potential to cause temporary damage to electrical networks and communication signals, including radio and satellites.
For the United States, some of which have recently been hit by physical storms, the additional pressure from geomagnetic storms could increase the risk of blackouts or other technical disruptions, especially in areas already affected by previous storms. Electricity operators in the US have been asked to prepare the necessary mitigation steps so that the potential for this disruption can be minimized.
Although solar storms can cause problems with technology and infrastructure, the direct threat to humans on Earth’s surface is very small. Earth’s atmosphere acts as a natural shield against radiation coming from the Sun. However, those who work in space or control satellites must be extra vigilant, because outside the atmosphere, the impact of solar storms is more pronounced.
Geomagnetic storms also often create amazing aurora phenomena in the sky, especially in the North and South Pole regions. These aurora occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating colorful light.
NOAA and other related agencies, such as NASA, continue to monitor the Sun’s activity in real-time. Current satellite technology allows scientists to detect eruptions on the surface of the Sun and predict when solar storms will arrive on Earth. This information is very important to provide early warning and enable better preparation in anticipating geomagnetic impacts.
Original article read at Antaranews.com
