What consequences will Thursday’s geomagnetic storm have?

by time news

20/07/2022

Updated at 3:09 p.m.

On July 15, the Sun shone brighter than usual. It is nothing that has not happened before, although it is still a curious fact that generates some interest. The space observatories perceived an increase in the activity of the x-rays and ultraviolet. A direct consequence was the failure of radio amateur communications.

How was this possible? Because a solar flare had just taken place. These phenomena occur when there is a “sudden emission of electromagnetic radiation and energetic particles located in a small region of the solar atmosphere”, as explained in ‘The conversation’ by David Montes, professor at the Faculty of Physical Sciences at the University Complutense de Madrid, and Gonzalo José Carracedo Carballal, researcher at the Center for Astrobiology in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid).

The fact is that this flare developed a magnetic field that launched solar plasma into space, a fact known as solar ejection or coronal mass, and is expected to reach Earth on July 21.

How will the geomagnetic storm affect?

Despite its dire name, the arrival of a geomagnetic storm does not necessarily mean any damage to our planet. The National Geographic Institute points out that these events “normally” are of small magnitude and do not cause “any damage”. In fact, on many occasions they are behind one of the most spectacular phenomena that a human being can witness. Because when they happen it is very propitious to be able to see the spectacular northern lights.

“By interacting electrically charged solar particles with the Earth’s atmosphere. When a large quantity of matter arrives due to the effect of a coronal mass ejection, the earth’s magnetic field tries to deflect these particles, but eventually they end up penetrating the areas near the magnetic poles and come into contact with the upper layers of the atmosphere. In these layers, the particles interact with the gases of the atmosphere (oxygen, nitrogen) which will condition the color with which they will be seen“, indicates the body dependent on the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda.

Image of a northern lights over the Norwegian city of Tromso

ABC

However, when the arrival of a geomagnetic storm is known, the alarms go off for fear of a drop in communications, as well as GPS systems or even the internet. The National Geographic Institute points out that these episodes can damage both positioning and navigation systems and communications satellites, causing significant damage to those dependent infrastructures.

Additionally, aircraft crews and astronauts can also be affected by these storms due to overexposure to solar electromagnetic particles. Therefore, the flights are often diverted and the astronauts are ordered to remain inside their ships until the situation normalizes.

However, different organizations such as the National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have estimated that their impact will be of “low intensity”, so they could produce punctual errors and of very small magnitude.


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