High-speed solar winds coming from a “hole” in the Sun should hit the Earth’s magnetic field on Wednesday, causing a Level 1 geomagnetic storm, meaning categorized as “small”. However, this phenomenon can cause network failures and affect satellites, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Coronal holes can form in the Sun’s atmosphere at any time, which usually appear as dark spots in ultraviolet and X-ray images. These cooler and less dense parts of the star allow the solar wind to escape more easily into space. Solar matter can travel at speeds of up to 2.9 million kilometers per hour, according to the Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco.
The paper says that this phenomenon occurs more frequently during the period of minimum solar energy independent. We are currently heading towards a period of solar maximum, during which the Sun’s activity increases in intensity, which should reach around 2025.
Scientists have warned of the most regular and harmful effect of space weather on life on Earth.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s scale of solar storms starts at G1, called “minor,” and can go up to G5, an “extreme” geomagnetic storm that can cause problems with power systems, spacecraft, radio signals, and satellite navigation. .
William Shakespeare is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, history, and current affairs. With a keen eye for storytelling and analysis, he produces informative articles that help readers understand the people, ideas, and events influencing modern life.
