At geomagnetic storm and the Northern Lights that became visible even in areas much further south than usual, Professor of Dynamic Tectonics and Applied Geology, Efthymios Lekkas, described how radiation is deflected towards the Earth’s poles.
Speaking to ERT today, saturday, in the morning, Mr. Lekkas mentioned that geomagnetic storms are emitted by the sun. As he pointed out, the sun emits energy that essentially gives life to the entire planetary system.
As he pointed out, based on the available data, a geomagnetic storm usually lasts 1-3 weeks, but added that it is something that cannot be predicted with certainty.
Explaining how a geomagnetic storm is created, he pointed out that there are explosions on the surface of the sun. When this geomagnetic radiation is emitted from the sun, it also reaches the Earth, he added.
The role of the Earth’s magnetic field
Mr Lekkas said that the Earth, because it has its own magnetic field, effectively deflects this radiation towards the poles, preventing it from falling vertically onto the planet’s surface. “The magnetic field is the shield that pushes the geomagnetic radiation towards the poles,” he added.
Hundreds of people rushed to see the northern lights in Vancouver with increased visibility triggered by a geomagnetic storm pic.twitter.com/aBJvYsRYZ2
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 11, 2024
He further emphasized that the geomagnetic storm has no effects on humans and noted that the amount of geomagnetic radiation falling on the Earth as a whole has remained constant over the last million years. As he explained, a geomagnetic storm could affect human health if it was sustained for long periods of time, which does not seem to be the case now.
Vancouver, May 10, 2024. Photo. REUTERS/Chris Helgren
Asked if this geomagnetic storm would cycle in 2-3 weeks, he replied “exactly as long as the two previous corresponding events, in 2005 and 1955 or so.” “It came prematurely, this does not depend on processes on our planet, it is a process that takes place in the sun, whose big explosions we cannot predict,” he added.
Mr. Lekkas described the Northern Lights as an exciting phenomenon, pointing out that it is observed mainly in northern countries, where geomagnetic radiation is deflected. In this case, he noted that the phenomenon becomes even more impressive because the amount of geomagnetic radiation is much greater. He further said that the geomagnetic storm creates temporary problems in telecommunications, energy, GPS.
Britain, May 10, 2024. Photo. REUTERS/Carl Recine
The possibility of appearance in Greece
According to the director of the National Meteorological Service (NMS), Thodoris Kolydas, the Northern Lights were visible from areas of Greece – and Athens – on the night of Friday to Saturday, while it is likely to be visible also on the night of Saturday to Sunday .
VIDEO: The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth on Friday, triggering spectacular celestial light shows from Tasmania to Britain — and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend. pic.twitter.com/JYAPt70ji4
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 11, 2024
“Aurora is the most beautiful natural phenomenon that has fascinated and inspired people since the beginning of the world. A total of 12 documented cases of the appearance of the Northern Seal over the Greek area have been recorded in the last 500 years and today is the 13th” he pointed out in his post.
🌃 THE NORTHERN SIGHT HAS FINALLY COME TO ATHENS!
✅The aurora is the most beautiful natural phenomenon that has fascinated and inspired people since the beginning of the world. A total of 12 documented cases of Northern Lights appearing over the Greek area have been recorded in the last… pic.twitter.com/bsnxBdubSf— Theodoros Kolydas (@KolydasT) May 11, 2024
He also pointed out that last night’s aurora was visible even in the Canary Islands.
🌃 THE STRANGE OF THE SELAS – THE SELAS WAS VISIBLE EVEN IN THE CANARY ISLANDS!
✅We should take into account that Tenerife has a latitude of 28.322°N but what matters is the fact that its geomagnetic latitude (Corrected geomagnetic… pic.twitter.com/vyiYcUoAQ6— Theodoros Kolydas (@KolydasT) May 11, 2024
As for Saturday night into Sunday, he said that “increased clouds will make it difficult to observe the night sky. The residents of western Greece will be luckier to see the appearance of the Northern Lights for the second night in our country.”
✨💫 “TO DRIVE THE CLOUDS…”
Increased clouds will make it difficult to observe the sky in the evening hours. The residents of western Greece will be luckier to see the appearance of the Northern Lights for the second night in our country. pic.twitter.com/OtJ3VtveSk— Theodoros Kolydas (@KolydasT) May 11, 2024
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