Solar storm causes Aurora Borealis

Strong solar activity triggered a spectacle of aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere and aurora australis in the southern hemisphere, lighting up the night skies from Friday (10) to Saturday (11).

The northern lights occur when energized particles or high-speed solar winds penetrate the atmosphere, being redirected towards the poles by the Earth's electromagnetic field. This phenomenon has been witnessed in New Zealand, the United States and some regions of Europe and Australia.

The planet is facing one of the biggest solar storms recorded in recent decades, worrying those responsible for electrical grids, communication systems and satellites.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that the ongoing geomagnetic storm has manifested as auroras over vast areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Although significant damage has not yet been reported, there have been measurable impacts, including degradation and loss in communications systems that rely on high-frequency radio waves.

Shawn Dahl, services coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, commented on the intensity of solar activity and its effects on power grids and satellite systems. While power grid operators struggle to maintain adequate and regulated current, satellite operators monitor the health of spacecraft as the storm continues to affect GPS systems.

Classified as “Extreme” by NOAA, the G5 geomagnetic storm is the first of its kind to hit the planet since 2003. There were predictions that this current storm could induce visible auroras in unusual areas such as northern California and Alabama.

The source of this solar storm are clusters of sunspots on the Sun's surface, charged with magnetic fields that can launch charged particles toward Earth, known as coronal mass ejections. These events, most frequent during the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, have become more frequent and intense.

While not as powerful as the “Carrington Event” of 1859, which generated auroras visible as far away as Mexico and Hawaii and affected telegraph systems across Europe and North America, modern dependence on electronic and electrical systems makes these solar storms a challenge. significant.

Solar storms can induce unexpected electrical currents in long-distance power lines and disrupt the ionosphere, affecting long-distance radio transmissions and GPS signals. Additionally, radiation from these storms can impact orbiting satellites, altering their orbits and even increasing atmospheric drag, which could potentially lead to satellites crashing toward Earth.

Despite the challenges presented by this solar storm, there is no need to panic. Utility operators recommend some basic precautions, such as keeping flashlights and radios on hand in case of temporary blackouts.

So, as the world watches the effects of this solar storm, it is a timely reminder of the interconnectedness between the Earth and the Sun and the continued need to be prepared for extreme space events.

By Rebeca Maia, Theology Student Gazette.