Geomagnetic Storm.

February 21, 2023

Solar Wind recently passed through a gap which occurred due to a crack in Earth’s magnetic field sparking a G1-class geomagnetic storm (GMS).
Crack occurred due to South-pointing magnetic fields weakening Earth’s defenses against solar wind. GMS is a disturbance in earth’s magnetosphere, which is the area around planet controlled by its magnetic field.
Earth’s magnetosphere protects its inhabitants from most of the particles emitted by sun.
It is caused by massive exchange of energy from solar wind into space environment surrounding the Earth.
GMS are categorised between G1 and G5, the latter being the strongest.
- If the Earth is hit with a G5-class solar storm, it can not only damage satellites and disrupt wireless communications such as internet services, mobile network and GPS, it can also cause power grid failures and even disrupt electronics such as heart pacemakers in patients.
- The Sun entered solar cycle 25 in 2019 and it is expected that it will hit its peak in July 2025. And this is the main reason why the Sun has suddenly become so violent.
Effect of GMS
- Formation of bright red auroras.
- Geomagnetic storms are also the reason behind stunning streaks of green light across the sky known as Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.
- Disrupt navigation systems such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and create harmful geomagnetic induced currents (GICs) in power grid and pipelines.
- Damage satellite electronics and expose astronauts and high-altitude pilots to increased levels of radiation.