First extreme solar storm
The Earth experienced its most potent solar storm in over two decades on Friday (May 11), resulting in stunning celestial displays from Tasmania to Britain and raising concerns about possible disruptions to satellites and power grids throughout the weekend.
The event began with the first of multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) – eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun – occurring just after 1600 GMT, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Subsequently, it was classified as an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, the first of its kind since the “Halloween Storms” of October 2003, which caused blackouts in Sweden and infrastructure damage in South Africa. More CMEs are anticipated to impact the Earth in the coming days.
Social media platforms buzzed with users sharing images of auroras seen in northern Europe and Australasia.
“We’ve just woken the kids to go watch the Northern Lights in the back garden! Clearly visible with the naked eye,” said Iain Mansfield, a think tanker from Hertford, Britain, to AFP.
“Absolutely biblical skies in Tasmania at 4 am this morning. I’m leaving today and knew I could not pass up this opportunity,” photographer Sean O’ Riordan shared alongside a photo.
Authorities alerted satellite operators, airlines, and power grid operators to take precautionary measures for potential disruptions resulting from alterations to Earth’s magnetic field. Unlike solar flares, which travel at the speed of light and reach Earth in approximately eight minutes, CMEs move at a slower pace, with the current average speed estimated at 800 km per second.
These CMEs originated from a vast sunspot cluster measuring 17 times wider than our planet. The Sun is nearing the peak of an 11-year cycle characterized by heightened activity.
Mathew Owens, a space physics professor at the University of Reading, advised AFP that while the impacts would primarily be felt across the Earth’s northern and southern latitudes, the extent of their reach would hinge on the final intensity of the storm.
“Go outside tonight and take a look, would be my suggestion, because witnessing the aurora is quite a remarkable sight,” he added. For those equipped with eclipse glasses, they can also observe the sunspot cluster during daylight hours.
In the United States, areas like Northern California and Alabama may experience effects, officials stated. Brent Gordon from NOAA encouraged the public to attempt capturing the night sky with phone cameras, even if auroras are not visible to the naked eye.
“Just step outside your back door and snap a photo with your newer cell phones, and you’ll be astonished by what appears in that picture compared to what you see with your own eyes.”
Fluctuating magnetic fields linked to geomagnetic storms can induce currents in lengthy wires, including power lines, potentially leading to blackouts. Additionally, extended pipelines may become electrified, posing engineering challenges.
Spacecraft are also susceptible to high levels of radiation during such events, although Earth’s atmosphere serves as a barrier, preventing direct exposure.
NASA maintains a dedicated team focused on astronaut safety and can instruct astronauts aboard the International Space Station to relocate to areas offering better shielding. Furthermore, species with internal biological compasses, such as pigeons, may be affected. Pigeon handlers have observed a decrease in birds returning home during geomagnetic storms, as reported by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Officials recommend that individuals prepare for potential power outages by having standard backup supplies like flashlights, batteries, and radios readily available.
The most severe geomagnetic storm on record, the Carrington Event, occurred in September 1859, named after British astronomer Richard Carrington. During this event, excessive currents on telegraph lines resulted in electrical shocks to technicians and ignited some telegraph equipment.
