Extraordinary activity on the Sun caused a G4 class geomagnetic storm in Charlotte, USA, recorded as the strongest in the last 20 years. Scientists noted that such severe solar storms are rare and usually occur during periods of highest solar activity.
SHARED THE PHOTO OF THE EXPLOSION
NASA has warned of powerful solar flares that have the potential to disrupt communications in space and on Earth. NASA announced that there was a powerful solar flare on the Sun on Friday, May 10. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory also captured an image of a solar flare classified as X3.9.
“SEVERE GEOMAGNETIC STORM”
In the statement made by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it was reported that a “Geomagnetic Storm” of this intensity may occur for the first time since 2005 due to explosions on the surface of the Sun. “A severe (G4) geomagnetic storm is likely to occur later in the day and continue through the weekend,” NOAA and the US Space Weather Prediction Center said in their statements. The statement was included.
In the statement, it was stated that the exact timing of the geomagnetic storm, whose effects are expected to be seen in the northern hemisphere, is still unclear, and it was shared that the storm could start as of today and “may affect satellite communications and power systems.”
IT IS 16 TIMES THE SIZE OF THE EARTH
Scientists stated that polar lights resulting from this storm could be observed in the US states of Alabama and Northern California, reminding the severe geomagnetic storm that occurred on the surface of the Sun in 2005 and emphasizing that these are rare.
It was determined that the source of the geomagnetic storm caused by explosions on the Sun was a “large, complex sunspot cluster” called “Region 3664” and covered an area 16 times the size of the Earth.
NORTHERN LIGHTS SEEN FROM NEW ZEALAND
On the other hand, it was also stated that the northern lights were seen in New Zealand after the solar flare. Many social media users shared photos from the region.
INTERRUPTIONS THAT LAST FOR HOURS MAY EXPERIENCE
In NOAA’s statement, drawing attention to the possible effects of the storm approaching the Earth, it was noted that “widespread voltage control problems may arise” and “friction, tracking and orientation problems” may occur in satellites in orbit.
It was noted that due to the storm in question, there may be disruptions in satellite navigation systems and radio receiver frequencies, outages that may last for hours, or some similar devices may not work at all.
SOLAR FLARES ARE DIVIDED INTO FIVE CATEGORIES
The biggest explosion on the Sun since 2017 was imaged by the Solar Dynamics Observatory of the US National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) on December 15, 2023, and it was announced that the explosion temporarily disabled radio signals on Earth. According to NASA, explosions on the Sun’s surface create powerful energy waves that pose a risk to spacecraft and astronauts, as well as to radio frequencies, power grids and navigation signals.
Solar flares are large bursts of energy suddenly released on the Sun. They are divided into 5 categories as A, B, C, M and X, according to their explosion power and effect. Class M and X explosions are the most dangerous.
Solar flares, which cause negative effects on radio communications and electrical grids on Earth, have an 11-year cycle.
