Severe Solar Storms To Continue Through The Weekend: Extreme Southern Auroras, Taxed Power Grids

As the United States struggles with catastrophic back-to-back hurricanes, a powerful solar storm is approaching Earth through the weekend and has the potential to put more strain on already taxed electrical systems. They do this by causing large current surges in power lines that blow out transformers and compromise electrical grids.

CME eventPhoto byRichelleg

A coronal mass ejection—a cloud of charged solar material—slammed into Earth, causing a "severe" geomagnetic storm that could affect power grids, GPS, and radio communications systems, as well as amplify aurora displays in areas that are not usually able to see them.

Stunning pictures were flooding social media last night as far south as California and northern Alabama.

Last night, near Huntsville TNPhoto byRichelleg

The X1.8-class solar flare that burst from the sun was linked to the CME that set off the G4 geomagnetic storm on Thursday. The sun has released a number of X-class flares in the past week, including a big X9 outburst on October 3. The sun released an X1.4 flare on Thursday, signaling that the storm isn't over. Keep in mind it takes awhile for these things to travel through space to get to us.

So, can these solar storms affect you? Absolutely.

While experts say there is no direct impact on human health, some say on nights where solar flares are at their worst, people get a little strange, like a full moon, but worse.

You can protect your home and electronics by looking into faraday cloths, boxes, and cages. These items shield sensitive electronics from EMPs and solar flares.

Long exposure near southern border of PAPhoto byRichelleg

Attributions:

Aurora Dashboard (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center. (n.d.). https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental

Homepage | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center. (n.d.). https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/