Space weather

In anticipation of an impending solar storm set to peak by 2025, NASA is intensifying its preparations to mitigate potential impacts on Earth. Recent predictions by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate a revised forecast for Solar Cycle 25, suggesting a stronger-than-expected peak between January and October of 2024.Solar cycles, recurring roughly every 11 years, mark fluctuations in the Sun's activity, notably evident through sunspots, areas where the magnetic field is exceptionally…

In a celestial dance that has both scientists and skywatchers excited, the colossal Sunspot AR3590, which recently unleashed the most potent solar flare in over half a decade towards Earth, is now beginning to wane as it rotates to the far side of the Sun. Despite its current retreat, experts warn of a potential resurgence in two weeks, reigniting concerns about a geomagnetic storm. Although a scheduled Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) predicted to interact with Earth's magnetic field on March 2nd has yet to materialize, NOAA…

In late-April 2023, Earth experienced a powerful geomagnetic storm that illuminated the skies with mesmerizing auroras, even in lower latitudes like Ladakh in India. Mostly, these auroras are restricted to the North Pole and northern regions of the world, but this geomagnetic storm was so powerful that it generated auroras that could be seen as far South as in Ladakh. Now, Indian astronomers have traced the origins of this intense storm back to the Sun. Notably, they used data collected from multiple space telescopes…

A recent surge of solar activity has captured the attention of astronomers and space weather enthusiasts alike, as a hyperactive sunspot unleashed its third X-class solar flare within a 24-hour period. This remarkable series of events marks the most potent solar eruption in six years, raising concerns about potential impacts on Earth's space environment.The latest flare, labeled X6, emerged from sunspot AR3590, a colossal dark patch on the surface of the Sun that spans several times the size of Earth. This eruption,…

There is no respite from solar storms for Earth. The Sun emitted a powerful X-class solar flare on February 9, reaching its peak at 8:10 a.m. (1310 GMT), resulting in shortwave radio blackouts across regions of South America, Africa, and the Southern Atlantic. Originating from sunspot AR3576, which had previously exhibited an M-class flare and plasma eruption on February 5, this recent solar flare marked a significant event in solar activity. Fortunately, by February 8, the sunspot had moved away as the sun and Earth…

A striking set of gigantic sunspots, first spotted from Mars and now designated AR3576, is currently facing Earth, capturing the attention of astronomers, space enthusiasts, and concerned space weather forecasters.Hurricanes and Climate | Extreme EarthThe cluster, nicknamed the “Martian sunspots,” was first discovered by NASA’s Perseverance rover using its MastCam in the final week of January. Since this initial observation, these sunspots have significantly increased in size and are now facing our planet. The entire…

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the far left – on December 31, 2023. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares, which is colorized in yellow and orange. Credit: NASA/SDOThe Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 4:55 p.m. EST, on December 31, 2023. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.Solar flares are powerful bursts of…

Earth’s magnetosphere, essential for protecting us from solar radiation, contrasts sharply with Mars, which lost its protective field. Studying this shield, especially through NASA’s missions like the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, is crucial for understanding space weather and its impact on Earth.What Is Earth’s Magnetosphere?Enveloping our planet and protecting us from the fury of the Sun is a giant bubble of magnetism called the magnetosphere. It deflects most of the solar material sweeping towards us from our star…

Some train track circuits are at the mercy of distant storms on the Sun’s surface, researchers found, which could cause train signals to jump from red to green and vice versa as a result of extreme space weather.'Even AI Rappers are Harassed by Police' | AI UnlockedThe Sun is a dynamic star, with stormy outbursts that fling radiation millions of miles into the solar system. Some of this radiation bombards Earth, where it can disrupt our technology and cause bright aurorae in the sky. Space weather can even knock out…

Yesterday, it was the turn of Mars, and today, December 9, the Earth is again the central focus of the unceasing solar activity on the Sun. Just four hours ago, a massive solar flare eruption took place on the Sunspot AR3511, according to data from NASA. The solar flare was measured to be M5.49, which is the highest-intensity flare we have seen in the last three months. The flare subsequently triggered a short-wave radio blackout on Earth. It is possible that the flare also released a coronal mass ejection (CME) cloud…