BOULDER, Colo. — Space weather forecasters have issued a geomagnetic storm watch through Monday, saying an ouburst of plasma from a solar flare could interfere with radio transmissions on Earth. It could also make for great aurora viewing.
There’s no reason for the public to be concerned, according to the alert issued Saturday by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado.
The storm could interrupt high-frequency radio transmissions, such as by aircraft trying to communicate with distant traffic control towers. Most commercial aircraft can use satellite transmission as backup, said Jonathan Lash, a forecaster at the center.
Satellite operators might have trouble tracking their spacecraft, and power grids could also see some “induced current” in their lines, though nothing they can’t handle, he said.
“For the general public, if you have clear skies at night and you are at higher latitudes, this would be a great opportunity to see the skies light up,” Lash said.
Every 11 years, the sun’s magnetic field flips, meaning its north and south poles switch positions. Solar activity changes during that cycle, and it’s now near its most active, called the solar maximum.
During such times, geomagnetic storms of the type that arrived Sunday can hit Earth a few times a year, Lash said. During solar minimum, a few years may pass between storms.
In December, the biggest solar flare in years disrupted radio communications.
Geomagnetic storms caused by solar flares have the potential to disrupt radio communications and create stunning aurora activity in the Earth’s atmosphere. These natural phenomena are a result of the interaction between the Sun’s magnetic field and the Earth’s magnetic field.
Solar flares are sudden bursts of energy and radiation that occur on the surface of the Sun. When these flares are directed towards Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms by releasing a large amount of charged particles into space. These particles can interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, causing disturbances in the ionosphere – the upper layer of the Earth’s atmosphere where radio waves travel.
One of the main impacts of geomagnetic storms on radio communications is signal degradation and interference. High-frequency radio waves, which are commonly used for long-distance communication, can be absorbed or reflected by the ionosphere during a geomagnetic storm. This can lead to poor signal quality, dropped calls, and disrupted communication networks. In extreme cases, radio blackout conditions may occur, making it difficult for emergency services and other critical communication systems to operate effectively.
In addition to affecting radio communications, geomagnetic storms can also enhance aurora activity in the Earth’s polar regions. Auroras, also known as the Northern and Southern Lights, are colorful displays of light that occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. During a geomagnetic storm, the increased influx of charged particles can create more intense and widespread aurora displays, visible even at lower latitudes than usual.
While geomagnetic storms and solar flares can have disruptive effects on radio communications and create beautiful aurora displays, they also serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our planet with the Sun. Scientists and researchers continue to study these phenomena in order to better understand and predict their impacts on Earth’s technology and environment. By monitoring solar activity and improving our ability to forecast geomagnetic storms, we can better prepare for and mitigate their potential impacts on radio communications and aurora activity.
