Geomagnetic storms are dangerous and THIS is how they affect Earth; 4 points | Tech News

Geomagnetic storms are dangerous and THIS is how they affect Earth; 4 points

Earth is facing the prospect of a moderate-level geomagnetic storm on September 4. But what are these geomagnetic storms? Know all details.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Sep 02 2022, 23:45 IST
Solar Flare explosion may cause Geomagnetic storms on Earth
geomagnetic storm
1/5 The report stated “Something just exploded on the sun's north-eastern part. On July 31st at 2309 UT, Earth-orbiting satellites registered a long-lasting C9.3-class solar flare; the intensity is probably an underestimate because it was partially eclipsed.” (NASA)
geomagnetic storm
2/5 According to the report, debris flying away from the blast site on the Sun was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). “The explosion is significant because it may herald an active region set to emerge over the sun's north-eastern part later this week. A new sunspot group could bring an end to weeks of relative quiet,” the report further added. (NASA SDO)
geomagnetic storm
3/5 Although Earth was not directly in the line of fire, the solar flares which hurled towards Earth may cause the emergence of Geomagnetic storms. According to NASA, a geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere which occurs when there is a strong exchange of energy from the solar wind in the space above Earth. (REUTERS)
geomagnetic storm
4/5 According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers, there is a chance of a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm on August 3. 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 Geomagnetic storm whereas G-5 is assigned to the most severe storms. (NASA)
geomagnetic storm
5/5 The frequency of solar flares is set to increase in the coming years as the Sun reaches the peak of its solar cycle, likely to be around 2025. This will not only increase the frequency of solar flares and solar storms, but could also potentially Earth systems like power grid and GPS. (NASA)
geomagnetic storm
icon View all Images
A very powerful geomagnetic storm can affect power grids, radio communications, Internet and even satellites. (NOAA)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters have warned that a minor G1 class and a moderate G2 class geomagnetic storms are likely to hit Earth on September 4. This will happen when a stream of solar wind is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. The gaseous material is flowing from a large hole in the sun's atmosphere. But what are these geomagnetic storms? Do they have any impact on our Earth? Here is everything that you need to know about Geomagnetic storms and their impact.

What are Geomagnetic Storms

A geomagnetic storm, which is also known as a magnetic storm, is a period of rapid magnetic field variation, which can last from hours to days. These storms have two basic causes. First, when the Sun ejects a strong surge of solar wind called a coronal mass ejection in space after solar storms on the surface of the Sun, this can disturb the outer part of the Earth's magnetic field. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) mentioned that it undergoes a complex oscillation. “This generates associated electric currents in the near-Earth space environment, which in turn generates additional magnetic field variations -- all of which constitute a ‘magnetic storm.'” the report explained.

You may be interested in

MobilesTablets Laptops
28% OFF
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G
  • Green
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
Google Pixel 8 Pro
  • Obsidian
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
Vivo X100 Pro 5G
  • Asteroid Black
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 GB Storage
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
  • Black
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage

Solar outbursts shoot coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are massive solar particles that generate geomagnetic storms on Earth. Sometimes, the Sun directs these CMEs at a time when the magnetic field lines of the Earth and Sun are directly connected. During this phase, we can experience a massive geomagnetic storm.

Also read
Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here.

How Geomagnetic storms can affect Earth

  • USGS further explained the hazards of geomagnetic storms which can leave a direct impact on our technology-based infrastructure during geomagnetic storms.
  • It can also affect long-range radio communication that relies on sub-ionospheric reflection. As the ionosphere, where Earth's atmosphere meets space, is heated and distorted during geomagnetic storms, GPS can be degraded.
  • Not just these, geomagnetic storms can increase satellite drag, which simply means it will make their orbits difficult to control. Also, satellite electronics can be damaged due to the surge in the discharge of static-electric charges, just like in the case of Elon Musk's led Starlink satellites that SpaceX had launched. A huge number of them could not reach the desired orbit because of the geomagnetic storm and they fell back and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere.
  • The effect can be seen on Earth's surface too, as Geomagnetic storms can cause power grid fluctuations, even blackouts.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 02 Sep, 23:45 IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS