On Monday, Earth was struck by an intense solar storm that could bring the northern lights, or aurora borealis, to skies much further south than usual. The phenomenon, which is caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun, has been categorized as a level-four geomagnetic storm, one step below the most severe level on the scale used by space weather experts.
Rare Sight: Aurora Borealis in Southern States
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) first observed the geomagnetic storm at 1500 GMT on Monday. While the storm is not expected to intensify further, it is strong enough to potentially allow the northern lights to be seen as far south as Alabama and northern California, states that are not typically associated with this natural spectacle.
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“There are a lot of auroras now,” noted Eric Lagadec, an astrophysicist at the Cote d’Azur Observatory in France, on X (formerly Twitter). He added that if the storm persists until nightfall, even more southern regions may be treated to this visual display.
Understanding Solar Storms and CMEs
Solar storms like the one experienced on Monday are the result of CMEs, which are massive bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space. These ejections are essentially explosions of particles leaving the Sun at high speed. When these charged particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field, they can create geomagnetic storms that, in turn, produce auroras.
While the sight of the northern lights is a treat for those in its path, solar storms can have serious consequences. They are known to disrupt satellite operations, degrade high-frequency communications, and even cause power grid overloads. In anticipation of these risks, NOAA has alerted operators of sensitive infrastructure to implement measures to mitigate potential damage.
Recent Surge in Solar Activity
This recent solar storm follows a similar event in May, which was the most powerful geomagnetic storm recorded in 20 years. That storm resulted in auroras lighting up skies in the United States, Europe, and Australia, at latitudes far lower than usual. The increased frequency of such events is linked to the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle, during which the star’s magnetic activity peaks, leading to more frequent and intense solar storms.
Scientists expect that the Sun’s activity will remain heightened through at least 2025, possibly leading to more geomagnetic storms of similar or even greater intensity. This period of heightened solar activity could extend into 2026, as some evidence suggests that CMEs might become more common even after the peak of the solar cycle.
Potential Impacts and Historical Precedents
While this week’s storm is not expected to be as severe as some past events, the potential for significant impacts remains. For instance, the May storm caused disruptions to precision-guided agricultural equipment in the United States, delaying critical planting activities. Although the May storm had minimal long-term effects, a larger event could cause widespread disruptions to modern infrastructure, especially in industries reliant on satellite communications and power grids.
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The possibility of more severe storms raises concerns about preparedness, as past solar events have shown the potential to cause extensive damage. A 2012 solar flare, for example, narrowly missed Earth but was powerful enough that scientists believe it could have knocked modern civilization back to the 18th century had it hit.