2024-05-10 17:47:01
A wave of geomagnetic activity is rolling toward Earth. Solar storms could not only cause disruptions, but also spectacular celestial phenomena.
The sun is currently very active again. Four coronal mass ejections or solar flares are expected in the next few days – the first even this Friday. This was announced by the US Meteorological and Oceanographic Agency (NOAA).
According to the website “space.com”, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has increased the activity level of electromagnetic storms to level G 4 – the second highest level on the scale. “Highly increased” geomagnetic activity is therefore expected on Earth.
Space.com explains exactly what this means: “At level G 4, there is a risk that there will be widespread problems with voltage regulation, which will have an impact on the power grid.” In addition, satellite and low-frequency radio navigation systems such as GPS could be disrupted.
The first effects of the solar storms are expected on Friday, with maximum activity expected to occur on Saturday.
Solar activity lights up the night sky
But the increased activity of the sun also has a positive side effect – because it also increases the likelihood of seeing the northern lights in the night sky. According to NOAA, the chances of seeing this natural spectacle are highest in northern latitudes. Onlookers can get their money’s worth, especially in the northern part of North America.
In Europe, the Aurora borealis, the scientific name for the northern lights, is said to be observed primarily in the northern part of Scandinavia. Nevertheless, a look at the night sky can still be worthwhile here, especially on Saturday nights.