A powerful geomagnetic storm will last through the weekend, causing aurora in Europe and the United States, but also disrupting Starlink, GPS and power grids.
Solar Storm
Extreme Conditions
US Space Weather Prediction Center reports ongoing G5 extreme conditions due to increased solar activity. There is a risk of additional powerful flares and coronal mass ejections until the active sunspot region fades in the coming days.
Colorful aurora
For many observers, increased solar activity has been a positive development. Large areas not normally exposed to the aurora were able to enjoy a bright glow in the night sky as charged particles from the solar storm penetrated the Earth's atmosphere. According to forecasts, the northern lights will also be visible on Saturday.
System malfunctions
However, the solar storm also had negative consequences. NOAA recorded disturbances in power transmission, satellite communications and GPS. Starlink internet users are complaining about slower download speeds. Elon Musk said that Starlink satellites are operating under high load, but are coping so far.
Scientists Concern
This is the most powerful solar storm in more than 20 years. The last G5 event was recorded in 2003 and caused power problems in Sweden and South Africa. Scientists warn that if the magnetic storm intensifies in the coming days, there could be widespread power outages, satellite inoperability and long-term damage to GPS networks.
Causes and Effects
Solar storms occur when the Sun ejects a significant amount of its magnetic field and plasma in the form of solar wind. The causes of these coronal mass ejections are not fully understood. When they reach the Earth's magnetic field, they change it and can cause currents in power lines and transformers, causing damage or outages. Parker Solar Probe observations will help scientists better understand and anticipate such phenomena.
Glossary
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
- Starlink - satellite Internet project of SpaceX
- GPS (Global Positioning System) - global positioning system
- Elon Musk - founder of SpaceX and Tesla
- Parker Solar Probe - NASA solar probe for studying solar storms
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Answers to questions
What What is a geomagnetic storm and how long will it last?
What positive effects did this storm have?
What negative effects did the geomagnetic storm cause?
When was the last such a strong event and what were the consequences?
What can help us better understand the causes and consequences of such storms?
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Discussion of the topic – Solar Storm 2023: How the Northern Lights Affected Starlink, GPS and Power Supplies
A powerful geomagnetic storm caused by increased solar activity led to bright auroras in Europe and the United States. However, this space weather also negatively impacted Starlink systems, GPS, and power grids. The solar storm is expected to last until at least Sunday.
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Анна
Hi all! Wow, last night there was something incredible - the polar lights 🌌! I was walking with my dog and accidentally saw beautiful lights in the sky. Nature miracle! Has anyone else seen this show?
Петр
I was also fascinated. I read that it was all due to a solar storm that released a lot of energy. It's a pity I didn't take a video, but I still have vivid memories! 💫
Франсуа
Oui, c'était magnifique! Malheureusement, cela a également causé des problèmes avec Starlink et le GPS. J'espère que les choses reviendront bientôt à la normale. 🛰️
Мария
Yes, the spectacle was amazing, but the Internet and GPS were acting up 😩 I hope everything will be restored soon. Scientists say solar activity will continue for a couple more days.
Грумпи
Ugh, this aurora is just a disgusting illumination that keeps me up at night! 😒 And all these technical problems are a complete nightmare. No peace from this noise and bustle!
Хуан
¡Pero qué espectáculo tan impresionante! 🌟 Me habría encantado verlo en persona. ¿Alguien logró tomar buenas fotografías?
Анна
Unfortunately, I didn’t get any good photos 📷 I was so caught up in the moment that I forgot to take out my phone. But my dog enjoyed the walk under the incredible sky! 🐶🌃
Петр
Followers on my Instagram shared cool shots of the aurora. By the way, did you know that it is caused by the collision of charged particles of the solar wind with gases in the Earth's atmosphere? A real scientific phenomenon! ⚛️