A CME struck Earth’s magnetic field on March 13 and 14. The impact was hailed as moderate and triggered a moderately strong G2-class geomagnetic storm. Reports suggest the storm lasted for more than 12 hours. So what are the other details you might want to know about the storm? Read to reveal
In a report by Wion, it suggested there was a chance for aurorae improvements, sometimes during March 13 and 14, due to two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and a high-velocity coronal hole flow. Scientists had suggested that the storm, which was typically a large cloud of charged particles, was hurled from the sun at about 4.5 million miles per hour (7.2 million km per hour). These would be produced by a combination of solar waves. The event was claimed to be one of the strongest in six years.
Looks like the auroras are definitely happening tonight! https://t.co/tRT0gmuSg6
It has been a geomagnetic storm for the past 12 hours and is expected to continue for another 6 hours. pic.twitter.com/6qaRC3JHbG— Scott Sutherland, science writer (he/him) (@ScottWx_TWN) March 14, 2022
Science behind a geomagnetic storm
In the solar system, the reproduction and development of living things are inseparable from the sun, and all stars are inseparable from the glory of the sun. The sun isn’t as gentle as we think, and when it comes to strength, it can be terrifying. Solar storm is mainly formed by flare and coronal mass ejection. Flares are a manifestation of a sudden increase in electromagnetic radiation in a small area of the sun. Flare often appears as a temporary brightening of an area, and the energy release from the flare is mainly concentrated in the X-ray and ultraviolet bands.
Therefore, in an eruption, it is difficult to find obvious changes in the sun on the ground. Meanwhile, the coronal mass ejection refers to the scene where the plasma material in the sun’s outer atmosphere is ejected at a very high speed. The light from the corona is relatively dim, except on occasions such as total solar eclipses, which prevent human eyes from seeing the glow and coronal mass ejection. If a solar storm occurs, 90% of the planet’s surface will be left without electricity. At night, aurora, galaxies and meteors can be seen in most areas that are artificial satellites destroyed by solar storms.