Massive Solar Eruption Warps Sun’s Own Magnetic Field, Satellites Capture Stunning Images
The sun released a powerful eruption this week, unleashing a coronal mass ejection (CME) that was so large it warped the sun’s own magnetic field. Satellites, including the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) GOES-16 satellite, captured stunning images of the solar eruption.
Originating from sunspots on the sun’s surface, CMEs are caused by the sudden explosion of energy resulting from the reorganization of powerful magnetic field lines. This release of energy sends plumes of solar material hurtling through space at millions of miles per hour.
The recent CME on November 15 caused temperature variations along the sun’s magnetic field lines, disrupting the delicate balance of forces around the star, according to the European Space Agency (ESA) officials.
Thankfully, the CME was not directed toward Earth, as it could have impacted communication systems across the planet. However, the event serves as a reminder of the potential danger posed by solar storms.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) also captured footage of the massive CME, showing the release of a massive amount of energy from the sun’s surface. This energy crackled along complex magnetic arcs, following paths many times the size of Earth.
In response to this event, ESA announced the development of the Vigil mission, which will closely monitor the sun’s activity and provide advance warning of oncoming solar storms. The mission is slated for launch in the mid-2020s and aims to protect against solar storms that pose a threat to power lines on Earth, as well as to astronauts and spacecraft in orbit.
Overall, the recent solar eruption serves as a reminder of the sun’s potential to impact not only our planet, but also space-based infrastructure and exploration efforts.