The huge solar storm is keeping power grid and satellite operators on edge (2024)

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The huge solar storm is keeping power grid and satellite operators on edge? ›

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm. Planet Earth is getting rocked by the biggest solar storm in decades – and the potential effects have those people in charge of power grids, communications systems and satellites on edge.

Solar storm has potential to disrupt satellites, power grid

Anything including communications, the electric power grid, radio and satellite operations are threatened by the looming storm, which could trigger blackouts and disrupt navigation systems.

The storm would affect a majority of the electrical systems that people use every day. Geomagnetic storms generate induced currents, which flow through the electrical grid.

Dazzling auroras—like this one over northwestern England—were the most noticeable effects of a powerful geomagnetic storm that struck Earth on May 10, 2024. But the event also impacted air traffic, satellite operations, global communications and even GPS-guided farm equipment.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is warning that a series of solar flares will slam into the Earth over the next few hours and days, potentially disrupting communications and navigation, triggering power outages, and damaging satellites.

Based on the readings, the researchers concluded that Carrington-level events likely occur once every 100 to 1000 years. However, without knowing exactly how powerful the event was, scientists can only make educated guesses about how common solar outbursts of its kind may be.

Fortunately, no matter what, flares do not have a significant effect on us here on Earth. The Earth's atmosphere more or less acts as a shield to prevent the cosmic radiation from reaching us. There can be measurable effects at ground level, but the amount of radiation is pretty insignificant.

To protect emergency backup electronics such as a radio or laptop, put them (unplugged) inside a sealed cardboard box, then wrap the box completely with aluminum foil. Another solution is to line the inside of a metal garbage can with cardboard.

Scientist warns more powerful solar eruptions could hit Earth in 2025 - and cause the worst geomagnetic storm in 165 years.

For those who want to be prepared in case the solar storm impacts their area, the SWPC pointed to a FEMA list of recommendations: Build an emergency kit, much like one you'd use in case of a natural disaster. Freeze plastic containers with water to create ice packs. They can help keep food cool if you lose power.

What was the largest solar storm in history? ›

The Carrington Event was the most intense geomagnetic storm in recorded history, peaking on 1–2 September 1859 during solar cycle 10. It created strong auroral displays that were reported globally and caused sparking and even fires in telegraph stations.

What impact do solar flares have on human activities? Solar flares produce high energy particles and radiation that are dangerous to living organisms. However, at the surface of the Earth we are well protected from the effects of solar flares and other solar activity by the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.

The destructive power of a solar storm

And to be honest, it is still not enough to kill on the planet, but it is capable of destroying all the satellites around the Earth, knockout power grids and all forms of communications, even the Internet.

Simply put, even the most severe solar outbursts in living memory have had relatively subdued effects. This is partly because, despite the alarming but unlikely possibility of widespread electricity blackouts, space weather does not tend to affect phones, laptops and other everyday electronic devices at all.

Geomagnetic storms generate induced currents, which flow through the electrical grid. The geomagnetically induced currents, which can be in excess of 100 amperes, flow into the electrical components connected to the grid, such as transformers, relays and sensors.

Despite its strong magnitude, NASA emphasizes harmful radiation from solar flares “cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground.” However, the G4 storm is considered "severe" because it's capable of causing technology issues and potential communication disruptions on Earth.

Solar storms can be dangerous to our technologies

If Earth happens to be in the path of a CME, the charged particles can slam into our atmosphere, disrupt satellites in orbit and even cause them to fail, and bathe high-flying airplanes with radiation. They can disrupt telecommunications and navigation systems.

It's the first G5 storm to hit the planet since 2003, when a similar event temporarily knocked out power in part of Sweden and damaged electrical transformers in South Africa. The NOAA center predicted that this current storm could induce auroras visible as far south as Northern California and Alabama.

Palmerio says there is one highly unlikely way in which an electronic device might be affected by a solar storm: If it were to be struck by a single, very strongly charged solar particle that transfers most of its energy to the device upon impact. Scientists refer to such incidents as a single-event upset.

When a solar coronal mass ejection (CME) hits earth's magnetosphere, the CME generates voltage that is superimposed on the electric energy grid. Coronal mass ejection voltage can create currents on the grid that can lead to transformer failures and blackouts.