Strong solar storm expected – may disrupt communication equipment

A powerful solar storm is headed for Earth. This can both lead to increased aurora activity and disruption of communication at the weekend.

This image from Nasa taken on 9 May 2024 shows a solar flare (lower right), which is a relatively intense, localized emission of electromagnetic radiation in the Sun’s atmosphere. Photo: AP / NTB

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The US agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a rare geomagnetic storm warning – the first in almost 20 years. It applies from Friday until the weekend.

NOAA states that there has been a strong solar storm that began on Wednesday. They have recorded five eruptions in which plasma has been ejected, which can affect satellites and power grids here on Earth.

So-called coronal mass eruptions – where plasma is ejected from the Sun – can contain billions of tonnes of solar plasma. NOAA describes this latest event as rare, saying it is linked to a sunspot 16 times the diameter of Earth.

During a similar incident in 2003, there was a power outage in Sweden and damage to transformers in South Africa.