From radio blackouts to auroras, know effects caused by this solar phenomenon
Solar Storm
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Solar storms are a variety of eruptions of mass and energy from the solar surface, as per NASA.
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When a solar storm strikes Earth, it can cause several effects while interacting with the planet’s magnetic field.
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From radio blackouts to auroras, know the effects caused by a solar storm.
Photo Credit: NASA
The high-speed solar flares spewed out by a solar storm interact with the Earth's electromagnetic field and spark Geomagnetic storms.
Photo Credit: NASA
Geomagnetic Storms
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When solar storms hit Earth, they interact with the magnetosphere and induce currents in electrical systems. This leaves power grids vulnerable to blackouts.
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Power Grid Failure
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Solar Storms can also cause a change in the migration patterns of birds, whales and even bees since they rely on the magnetic fields of the Earth for navigation.
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Changes in Bird Migration Patterns
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While Earth’s magnetic field protects it from solar particles, they get funnelled towards the poles, causing an ionizing effect, effectively absorbing shortwave radio waves and causing a loss of communication.
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Radio Blackouts
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During a geomagnetic storm, magnetic field lines of the Earth get disturbed, releasing extremely high magnetic energy and ionizing oxygen in the upper atmosphere. This turns it into blue-green hues of light, which we know as Auroras.