What is the aurora borealis? Explanation of the aurora borealis
The aurora borealis, a ribbon of bright color dancing across the sky, is one of nature’s most spectacular natural phenomena.
Space weather forecasters say a powerful M-class solar flare caused high-frequency radio interference on Tuesday, and multiple eruptions from the sun necessitated a geomagnetic storm watch later this week.
Captivating video: ‘Watermelon’ aurora dances over Alaska
Tuesday, NOAA Space Weather Forecast Center It said an M9.8 solar flare caused a moderate HF radio blackout event, and the associated flare was recorded by NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite. According to NOAA, when the flare was underway, degradation of HF radio signals could occur in the eastern part of the South Pacific.
SWPC said recent activity could result in more M-class flares and a small chance of an X-class flare, the most powerful on NOAA’s scale.
Solar flares are classified according to their strength as follows: 5 categories Specified by characters. M class and X class flares are the strongest. According to NASA, an X-class flare is the largest explosion and can produce as much energy as 1 billion atomic bombs.
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SWPC said many of the associated solar eruptions were of Earth origin.
At least three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occurred Sunday, sending clouds of plasma from the Sun toward Earth. It can take one to three days for a CME to reach Earth’s atmosphere. When multiple solar eruptions occur, one phenomenon can overtake the other, creating a series of solar storms.
Forecasters said the first hit by solar particles could reach “a potential glaring strike” or “near-Earth” as early as Wednesday evening, and that the next round of solar winds could reach “at least a glaring strike” by Thursday. ” is expected to arrive.
NOAA has a five-point rating scale for solar storms, ranging from G1 to G5. Models suggest G1 (mild) levels could be reached on Thursday and G2 (moderate) levels on Friday as additional CME arrives.
7 things you need to know about the Northern Lights
NOAA’s space weather forecasters use solar instruments aboard satellites to continuously observe the Sun, detecting and predicting space weather as it occurs. After the sun explodes, computer models help determine when particles are expected to reach Earth’s atmosphere.
What are the effects of solar storms?
The Northern Lights dance above the National Weather Service offices in Riverton, Wyoming, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. (Image: NWS Riverton)
For most people, geomagnetic storms have no effect. Strong (G3) storms can cause intermittent disruptions to satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation. NOAA issues space weather forecasts to help spacecraft operators and power companies prepare their systems for potential impacts.
For the general public, solar storms can actually be exciting. That’s because charged particles that hit Earth’s atmosphere create aurora borealis, also known as aurora borealis. These dancing lights are most common near the poles, but can also occur at lower latitudes during strong solar storms.
NOAA’s aurora dashboard indicates the possibility of faint aurora borealis across the northern United States starting Wednesday night.
A recent solar storm in November produced vivid aurora borealis as far south as the Carolinas.
More geomagnetic storms and associated auroral activity are occurring. Increased solar activity As we approach solar maximum during the 11-year solar cycle.Latest SWPC predictions solar cycle 25 Solar maximum will be moved forward from January to October 2024.