An unusually strong solar storm is headed toward Earth, potentially disrupting power and communications, and producing northern lights in the U.S. (AP/NASA)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — An unusually strong solar storm headed toward Earth could produce northern lights in the U.S. this weekend and potentially disrupt power and communications.
The First Geomagnetic Storm Watch in 20 Years
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare geomagnetic storm watch — the first in nearly 20 years. That was expected to become a warning Friday night, when the effects of the solar outburst were due to reach Earth.
NOAA already has alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions.
“As far as the worst situation expected here at Earth, that’s tough to say and I wouldn’t want to speculate on that,” said NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl. “However, severe level is pretty extraordinary, It’s a very rare event to happen.”
Related Story: SpaceX Comes Close to Completing Test Flight of Mega Rocket but Loses ...
Effects of the Solar Flares
NOAA said the sun produced strong solar flares beginning Wednesday, resulting in five outbursts of plasma capable of disrupting satellites in orbit and power grids here on Earth. Each eruption — known as a coronal mass ejection — can contain billions of tons of plasma and magnetic field from the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona.
The flares seem to be associated with a sunspot that’s 16 times the diameter of Earth, according to NOAA. An extreme geomagnetic storm in 2003 took out power in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa.
Related Story: Private US Spacecraft Enters Orbit Around the Moon Ahead of Landing Attempt
Potential Northern Lights Sightings
The latest storm could produce northern lights as far south in the U.S. as Alabama and Northern California, according to NOAA.
The most intense solar storm in recorded history, in 1859, prompted auroras in central America and possibly even Hawaii. “That’s an extreme-level event,” Dahl said. “We are not anticipating that” but it could come close.
RELATED TOPICS:
Visalia Stabbing Sends Man to Hospital, Police Investigating
26 minutes ago
Wall Street Perks Up, Oil Dips After Trump’s Middle East Delay
26 minutes ago
US Supreme Court Upholds Law on Suing Palestinian Authorities Over Attacks
56 minutes ago
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Versall Johnson Henderson
1 hour ago
Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into Yard Then Falls Asleep on Patrol Car
1 hour ago
Visalia Police Investigate Assault at Local Bar
2 hours ago
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get a 400% Pay Raise
7 minutes ago
Categories

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get a 400% Pay Raise

Visalia Stabbing Sends Man to Hospital, Police Investigating

Wall Street Perks Up, Oil Dips After Trump’s Middle East Delay
