Solar storm: NASA captures the moment a sunspot 'explodes'
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A hole in the equatorial region of the Sun’s atmosphere has appeared, researchers have said. The hole is spewing solar particles at a speed of 500 kilometres per second, or 1.8 million kilometres per hour. Unfortunately for Earth, it is in the direct path of the stream of solar particles.
Forecasters expect the stream to hit Earth on Sunday, May 2, and it could affect Earth’s satellite technology.
It has been categorised as a G1 class storm which can lead to “weak power grid fluctuations” and can have a “minor impact on satellite operations”.
Astronomer Tony Phillips wrote on his Space Weather site: “Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on May 2nd when a stream of solar wind is expected to hit Earth’s magnetic field.
“The gaseous material is flowing faster than 500 km/s from an equatorial hole in the sun’s atmosphere.”
Some experts have warned a major solar storm is a matter of “when not if”.
Every so often, the Sun releases a solar flare which in turn blasts energy into space.
Some of these solar flares can hit Earth, and for the most part, are harmless to our planet.
However, the Sun can also release solar flares so powerful that they can cripple Earth’s technology.
Some experts have warned a major solar storm is a matter of “when not if”.
Every so often, the Sun releases a solar flare which in turn blasts energy into space.
Some of these solar flares can hit Earth, and for the most part, are harmless to our planet.
However, the Sun can also release solar flares so powerful that they can cripple Earth’s technology.
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Previous studies have revealed that the Sun releases an extreme solar flare every 25 years on average, with the last Earth-hitting one coming in 1989.
This storm saw power outages in Quebec, Canada, as conducting rocks on Earth can carry the excess energy from the magnetic shield and plough it into the national grid.
On top of that, an intense solar storm can down satellite systems, as the bombardment of solar particles can expand Earth’s magnetosphere, making it harder for satellite signals to penetrate.
While it is impossible to predict when and where a huge solar storm might hit, it is inevitable one will hit the planet in the future.
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