Scientists are bracing for a solar storm on June 12 following a coronal mass ejection from our host star on June 7. The particles from the Sun are only beginning to reach Earth after a 150 million kilometre journey through space, but experts believe it could be worth it. Cosmic forecasting site Space Weather believes we are in store for auroras near to the Arctic circle.
Auroras, which include northern lights – aurora borealis – and southern lights – aurora australis, are caused when solar particles hit the atmosphere.
As the magnetosphere gets bombarded by solar winds, stunning blue lights can appear as that layer of the atmosphere deflects the particles.
Space Weather stated: “A stealthy CME might hit Earth’s magnetic field on June 12th. Four days ago a magnetic filament on the sun exploded.
“No CME was observed leaving the blast site, but NOAA forecasters think it might exist anyway – a faint storm cloud moving slowly across the Sun-Earth divide.
“If the CME does exist, its impact could spark minor geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras on Wednesday.”
However, researchers also not that the consequences of a solar storm can be far more severe than northern or southern lights.
For the most part, the Earth’s magnetic field protects humans from the barrage of radiation which comes from sunspots, but solar storms can affect satellite-based technology.
Solar winds can heat the Earth’s outer atmosphere, causing it to expand.
This can affect satellites in orbit, potentially leading to a lack of GPS navigation, mobile phone signal and satellite TV such as Sky.
Additionally, a surge of particles can lead to high currents in the magnetosphere, which can lead to higher than normal electricity in power lines, resulting in electrical transformers and power stations blow outs and a loss of power.
The higher amounts of radiation also leave people vulnerable to cancer.
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