A solar storm is causing a radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean – and another is expected to hit tomorrow
A radio disturbance was detected over the Pacific Ocean on Monday afternoon after an expected solar storm hit Earth.
Data showed that the incident occurred around 4:20 PM ET in the waters off the western US and South America, but lasted only a few seconds.
The poles were also influenced by the powerful stream of energetic particles, with the disturbance lasting about seven hours.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said there was a 60 percent chance the storm would disrupt the power grid.
Another storm will hit Earth tomorrow, which could also affect radios and aviation communications and affect the functioning of satellites.
But the events are expected to produce stunning auroras as far north as Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
Data showed the incident occurred around 4:20 PM ET (circle in red, orange and yellow) off the coast of the western US and South America, but lasted only a few seconds
The first (top right) made an impression on Monday and the second on Tuesday
Physicist Tamitha Skov told DailyMail.com: 'In terms of radio blackouts, yes, the risk is now increasing.
'We have already had two small M-class outbursts, which today caused short-lived radio disturbances at R1 level, but these could soon become longer and bigger.
“NOAA/SWPC is at risk of a 60 percent radio blackout at the R1-R2 level in the coming days.”
M-class flares are medium in size; they generally cause short radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions.
The two active sunspots, 3559 and 3555, produced coronal mass ejections (CMEs) just one day apart over the weekend – the first exploded on Saturday.
CMEs can eject billions of tons of corona material from the sun's surface. The material consists of plasma and magnetic fields.
“This storm will be followed by two, possibly three others, which will give us several quick hits through January 25,” said Skov, who hosts a space weather forecast at YouTube.
'A series of solar storms is now beginning (the first occurred only a few hours ago, but is slowly increasing).
“However, we can all rest assured that these storms will not be as powerful as to impact critical infrastructure.”
Early Monday, there was only a 10 percent chance of a small solar radiation storm, but the chance increased to 55 percent after the CME hit Earth.
The two active sunspots, 3559 and 3555, produced coronal mass ejections (CMEs) just one day apart. CMEs can eject billions of tons of corona material from the sun's surface. The material consists of plasma and magnetic fields
NOAA uses a five-level system, the S scale, to indicate the severity of a solar radiation storm.
Early Monday, there was only a 10 percent chance of a small solar radiation storm, but the chance increased to 55 percent after the CME hit Earth.
SWPC shared that “the general public should not be concerned,” but the storm will bring Northern Lights to several U.S. states this week.
'Solar storms are the cause of the beautiful aurora we see on the night side of the Earth. For the aurora lovers in your community, this week is a real treat,” Skov said.
SWPC has issued an official warning on its website about a geomagnetic storm impacting Earth, a temporary disturbance in Earth's magnetosphere caused by a shock wave from the solar wind.
The geomagnetic storm is currently a G2 event, considered moderate on the SWPC scale, and is in effect until Tuesday.
During G2 storms, voltage corrections may be necessary and false alarms may activate some devices.
Satellites and spacecraft in orbit may encounter resistance that could disrupt operations.
Space weather experts predicted that power grid problems could occur on the dark side of the planet and at higher altitudes such as the poles, where problems could arise with aviation communications, ham radios and even satellites orbiting Earth. be disturbed.
SWPC also shared on the social media platform, noting that “the general public need not worry” but will be bringing the Northern Lights to several US states this week
SWPC's warning also notes that potential impacts include impacting HF (high frequency) radios at higher latitudes.
“The radio waves (called 'radio bursts') affect our reception of satellite signals such as GPS and even HF radio communications,” Skov told DailyMail.com.
'It's like the sun is literally screaming at us during a solar flare.
'This 'scream' is much louder than our satellites can 'beep' and therefore temporarily drowns out the satellite signals.
“That said, the sun doesn't always scream at the exact frequencies that affect GPS signals.”
The warning is largely intended for frequencies used by aviation communications, government time stations, weather stations, amateur radio and citizen band services, among others.
“Those who may be affected are people who rely on GPS/GNSS services, especially at high latitudes, as well as precision farmers and anyone who uses UAVs for reconnaissance, search and rescue or aerial photography,” Skov told DailyMail.com.
'It could be that their drone is having trouble connecting to the GPS/GNSS [Other Global Navigation Satellite Systems] satellites, among others.
“Luckily, everything should settle down around the 26th, as long as the sun doesn't throw anything else our way.”