A geomagnetic storm coming from the sun could hit Earth early Wednesday morning, a phenomenon that scientists originally expected.
According to meteorologists, this storm coincides with the autumnal equinox.
The coronal mass ejection (CME), when plasma and magnetic particles erupt from the sun's surface, is believed to have occurred last Sunday. That was the same day as the official start of fall, reports said. Space.com website.
A sunspot called AR3835 may have unexpectedly unleashed an M-class solar flare, surprising scientists. The sunspot appeared to be stable.
This phenomenon is expected to be impressive, but above all it is very imminent.
In fact, EMC can cause a geomagnetic storm due to the Russell-McPherron effect, where the appearance occurs at the midpoint of the autumnal equinox.
at the same time as the autumnal equinox
During the spring and autumn equinoxes, which typically occur on March 20 and September 22, respectively, geomagnetic storms and space weather activity tend to peak.
Therefore, the Earth orients its poles so that its magnetic field aligns with the Sun's field.
Such conditions make a coronal mass ejection more likely than during the rest of the year, when the magnetospheres are misaligned, deflecting charged particles.
Data collected from 1932 to 2014 also show that the probability of geomagnetic storms, on average, is roughly double around equinoxes compared to solstices. Space.com website.
Northern Lights
Typically, geomagnetic storms can disrupt communications and energy infrastructure, and in extreme cases, cause power outages.
According to scientists, this time there will be no need to prepare for the end of the world or an electrical crisis.
There is no reason to worry, because according to what was published National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the geomagnetic conditions caused by the EMC will be a G1 or “minor” storm.
Image courtesy of Philippe Musset.com
A mass of solar plasma moving at more than a million kilometers per hour would only collide superficially with the magnetosphere, the Earth's protective layer.
At high altitudes, these geomagnetic storms can also cause spectacular light displays.
Tomorrow could be the northern lights. Visible in North Americaincluding in Quebec.
