Geomagnetic Storm Expected to Hit Earth
Today, it is anticipated that an intense geomagnetic storm will envelop the Earth’s atmosphere as solar plasma from a coronal mass ejection (CME) is set to collide with our planet. The CME was ejected by the Sun on Sunday when a magnetic thread escaped from its surface. Models developed by NASA and Noaa project that the collision with the Earth will occur around 13:00 Eastern Time (source).
The impact of the CME collision can result in geomagnetic storms, reaching intensities as high as G2 or even G3 on the scale. These storms can cause disruptions to GPS signals, satellite operations, and polar auroras visible at lower latitudes than usual.
A CME is generated by magnetic activity on the Sun’s surface, releasing massive amounts of solar plasma into space. If directed towards Earth, it takes approximately 48-72 hours for the cloud to reach our planet, although some CMEs may arrive earlier. When the CME interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, it can cause disturbances that trigger a geomagnetic storm.
According to Noaa, the strength of geomagnetic storms is rated on a scale from G1 (insignificant) to G5 (extreme). The intensity of the storm depends on the magnitude of the associated Kp index. More powerful storms are less frequent, with the Earth experiencing approximately 1700 G1 storms, only around 100 G4 storms, and merely 4 G5 storms during an 11-year solar cycle.
The upcoming solar storm is expected to be a G2 storm, with a possibility of reaching G3. This could result in various disruptions