The Sun is currently at the peak of its activity in an 11-year cycle, leading to more explosive outbursts of particles that can cause beautiful auroras in the sky and geomagnetic storms that may harm infrastructure such as power grids and satellites.
The process that generates auroras involves high-energy particles from the Sun flowing toward the Earth and interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. This interaction causes the particles to release energy in the form of visible light, creating different colors depending on the atmospheric elements involved.
Recently, there was a rare opportunity to observe auroras at lower latitudes due to changes in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by a strong solar storm. These geomagnetic storms can also create electrical currents in conductive materials on Earth, posing a risk to power lines, train tracks, and underground pipelines.
The disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field from these storms can also affect GPS systems, satellite internet speeds, and the planet’s radiation belts. In space, satellites are particularly vulnerable to electrical surges caused by geomagnetic storms, which can lead to the loss of communication and even the destruction of the satellite.
Auroras are not unique to Earth, as other planets also experience these phenomena. Scientists use instruments like the “planeterella” to simulate auroras and study magnetic fields on celestial objects. By understanding how auroras behave in different magnetic field strengths, researchers can improve their understanding of these natural events and develop better methods to protect against potential damage from future geomagnetic storms.