A few months ago, the Sun entered a new cycle of activity. The star has therefore caused “solar storms”, one of which will hit the Earth this Wednesday, February 2.
On January 29, the Sun expelled plasma, following a new cycle of activity. Consequence: “solar” storms have been caused. A solar flare was thus detected last week by the Soho satellite. Subsequently, a bulletin was issued by the Space weather prediction center de la Nasa this Monday, January 31.
Sunspot region 2936 just produced an M1.1 solar flare which looks to have triggered a slow, asymmetrical CME. The bulk looks to be headed northeast of Earth, but NASA’s version of the ENLIL model still predicts an Earth directed component late on Feb 1st into the 2nd. Let’s see! pic.twitter.com/ZJwLbjH3mp
— Night Lights (@NightLights_AM) January 30, 2022
This bulletin states that “multiple analyzes by forecasters indicated landfall as early as late February 1 through early February 2.” “Any geomagnetic storm conditions are likely to persist through February 3 at levels of attenuation” can we still read on this bulletin.
A coronal mass ejection (CME), a bubble of plasma, was then observed. When powerful, it can cause magnetic storms when interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field, if it reaches the planet. A scenario that will come true since the gaseous bubble observed is heading towards the Earth. On the other hand, the consequences of this interaction should be limited since the intensity of the storm is moderate. Overvoltages can be caused on certain electrical systems at high altitude, altered transformers, trajectories on modified orbits, more easily observable aurora borealis: these can be the consequences according to Science and Future.