Solar Storm Headed To Earth Could Cause A Blackout On Major Networks
Image via NASA
After a large solar flare was detected on July 3 and reported to be moving rapidly towards the Earth’s atmosphere, it has since been discovered that a solar storm is on its way to our planet and could potentially cause a major interruption to communications networks.
NASA states that the solar storm is speeding towards Earth at 1.6 million km (994,193.9 miles) per hour, and that number might increase even more. Described as a “high-speed stream of solar wind” by Spaceweather.com, it’s expected to reach wind speeds of 500 km (310.6 miles) per second.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) of the United States, the impact may cause “a wide area blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication” for approximately an hour when it hits. During the earlier solar flare on July 3, a brief radio blackout on Earth was already reported.
X-class solar flares are the strongest type of eruptions. The earlier July 3 solar flare, which occurred from a sunspot called AR2838 at 10:29am EDT, was classed as X1 by the SWPC, indicating its strength as the resulting storm travels through space.
Satellites in the Earth’s upper atmosphere are expected to be disturbed by the incoming flares. These will have a direct effect on GPS, mobile phone signal, satellite TV, and potentially power grids too, according to via NASA.
However, a silver lining for those currently located in the far reaches of our planet: the resultant geomagnetic imbalance will enhance the view of the Aurora lights in North or South Poles.
[via Livemint, image via NASA]
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