US EditionSun releases the largest solar radiation storm ‘in over 20 years,’ forecasters say
The storm, triggered by an X-class solar flare, may disrupt satellite communications and GPS while causing auroras visible across much of the northern U.S., National Weather Service said.
- On Monday, the National Weather Service Space Weather Prediction Center tracked a level 4 S4 severe solar radiation storm in progress, the largest in over 20 years, with severe conditions reached shortly after 11:30 a.m.
- A coronal mass ejection launched on Sunday was triggered by an X-class solar flare, sending charged particles that interact with Earth's magnetic field to cause geomagnetic disturbances.
- SWPC alerted airlines, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and warned effects mainly affect space launch, aviation and satellite operations, with possible GPS and electric power grid disruptions.
- Forecasters say the event offers auroral displays Monday evening into early Tuesday morning across much of the northern half of the U.S., with Iowa among 24 states and parts of Minnesota expected to have clear skies.
- Based on past storms, astronauts aboard the International Space Station can move to better-shielded sections during radiation events, while John Deere customers faced GPS disruptions but power grid and satellite operators managed systems.
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The powerful solar activity unleashed by our star is moving toward Earth. The storm is of category four, which ranks it among the more dangerous, so scientists warn of possible interruptions in satellite communication and questionable accuracy of navigation systems. The good news is that a higher probability of seeing the aurora borealis is expected in our region as well.
Massive Solar Storm Hits 20-Year Peak: Auroras May Reach Deep South
The sun has just hurled its most intense radiation storm in more than two decades toward Earth, creating a rare spectacle that could paint skies with color as far south as Alabama and Northern California. According to forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the event has been categorized as a […] Massive Solar Storm Hits 20-Year Peak: Auroras May Reach Deep South
The biggest solar storm in 20 years is happening right now. It's causing a lot of northern lights over Sweden. And now the American space weather service is warning of satellite disruptions.
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