Earth hit by a solar storm: what does that mean, exactly?



The Earth has been hit since yesterday by a solar storm which could remain active for a few more days. But what exactly is a solar storm? Should we be worried and what can we expect? We explain to you.

How does a solar storm happen?

First, you have to know that there is magnetic activity inside the Sun. This magnetic activity creates spots on the star’s surface that eventually break up and explode. When this happens, a piece of the sun’s surface is blasted into space.


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“If the Earth is near this piece that was ejected, this piece can collide with the Earth,” explains the director of the Planetairum Rio Tinto Alcan, Olivier Hernandez.


AFP

Fortunately, the Earth has an electromagnetic field that acts as a shield. When a piece of the Sun approaches the Earth, the Earth’s core does indeed produce a protective magnetic field.

“When this ejecta coming out of the sun will meet the Earth’s magnetic field, it will be directed towards the North and South poles of the Earth, and follow the field lines and enter these poles”, continues Alcan Olivier Hernandez.


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Are there any impacts on Earth?

A solar storm can have impacts on Earth. In particular, it can disrupt our satellites, which can affect cellular networks, smart TVs and GPS.

Last month, about forty SpaceX satellites were also destroyed due to a solar storm, said Elon Musk’s company.


AFP

In 1989, six million Hydro-Quebec customers were left without electricity because of a solar storm. A temporary overload in the network had indeed caused a generalized blackout lasting several hours. Since then, the state corporation has put in place a system to avoid such an overload. Hydro-Québec is also closely monitoring the development of solar storms, mentions Olivier Hernandez.

Will we be able to see the aurora borealis?

Solar storms can also have positive consequences, such as the formation of auroras, both in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere.


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“These auroras are the moment when charged particles coming from the Sun interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, which gives rise to absolutely incredible spectacles,” explains Olivier Hernandez.

Does this happen often?

Good news for aurora borealis enthusiasts: we are likely to see more and more of them by 2025, since solar storms should occur more often, says Olivier Hernandez.

We are indeed approaching the end of a solar cycle, the average of which is 11 years, which means that there will be more solar flares. And the closer we get to 2025, the more powerful the solar storms will be (and the visible aurora borealis), adds the specialist.

With information from AFP




Reference-www.24heures.ca

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