Geomagnetic Storm has hit Earth, says NASA; know destructive potential

According to NASA, a G-1 class Geomagnetic Storm hit Earth on March 29. It was sparked by the activity on the Sun. And as a result, auroras were visible as far down south as the USA. Geomagnetic storms can be dangerous and they can also affect you. Learn how.

After the geomagnetic storm struck Earth on March 29, the northern lights were visible in various parts of the USA. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a warning on Sunday about the approaching storm. (AFP)

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1/5 After the geomagnetic storm struck Earth on March 29, the northern lights were visible in various parts of the USA. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a warning on Sunday about the approaching storm. (AFP)

According to Space Weather, the Geomagnetic storm was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that was set off by the Sun on Saturday. The Sun has witnessed multiple rapid solar activities this week, a sign of it entering the solar maximum phase. (NASA)

2/5 According to Space Weather, the Geomagnetic storm was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that was set off by the Sun on Saturday. The Sun has witnessed multiple rapid solar activities this week, a sign of it entering the solar maximum phase. (NASA)

Dr. Tamitha Skov, famous space weather physicist, had also tweeted about the solar storm. She wrote, “Fast Hit or Slow? An Earth-directed #solarstorm is on its way to Earth, but NASA & NOAA predictions disagree on impact time. NASA says the impact will be near midnight on March 28, but NOAA believes 18 hours earlier. Either way #aurora could reach to mid-latitudes! (sic)”. (Unsplash)

3/5 Dr. Tamitha Skov, famous space weather physicist, had also tweeted about the solar storm. She wrote, “Fast Hit or Slow? An Earth-directed #solarstorm is on its way to Earth, but NASA & NOAA predictions disagree on impact time. NASA says the impact will be near midnight on March 28, but NOAA believes 18 hours earlier. Either way #aurora could reach to mid-latitudes! (sic)”. (Unsplash)

As per the K-index, which measures the magnetic field around the Earth, solar storms are divided into 5 classes from G-1 to G-5. The G-1 is the lowest impact solar G5 is given to the most severe. Earth was lucky that the storm was of G-1 class. (nasa.gov)

4/5 As per the K-index, which measures the magnetic field around the Earth, solar storms are divided into 5 classes from G-1 to G-5. The G-1 is the lowest impact solar G5 is given to the most severe. Earth was lucky that the storm was of G-1 class. (nasa.gov)

Geomagnetic storms are not just shiny bright lights near the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere, they also possess destructive power. The G5 storm is so powerful that it can cause power failure, mobile phone networks and GPS to stop working and can even destroy the sensitive electronics in satellites. (REUTERS)

5/5 Geomagnetic storms are not just shiny bright lights near the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere, they also possess destructive power. The G5 storm is so powerful that it can cause power failure, mobile phone networks and GPS to stop working and can even destroy the sensitive electronics in satellites. (REUTERS)