A G-5 level geomagnetic storm, the first since the Halloween Storms of 2003, has struck Earth.
- This storm was triggered by multiple Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) directed towards Earth.
Geomagnetic Storms
- Definition: Geomagnetic or Solar storms are disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere (Earth’s magnetic field).
- Classification: Depending on the intensity, they are classified from G1 (Minor) to G5 (extreme).
- Caused by: These disturbances arise from the interaction of charged particles from Sun with Earth’s magnetic fields, which is triggered by following solar explosions:
- CMEs: Primary drivers of the most severe geomagnetic storms.
- They are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona (the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere).
- They usually take place around sunspot groups, which are cooler, highly magnetized areas on the Sun's surface.
- They typically take 1 to 3 days to reach Earth.
- Solar Flares: An intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots.
- Largest explosive events in our Solar system that can last from minutes to hours.
- They travel at the speed of light, which takes approximately 8 minutes to reach Earth.
- CMEs: Primary drivers of the most severe geomagnetic storms.
