Geomagnetic Storm Alert Issued

The long dark "gap" in this image is a coronal hole through which solar wind escapes (Credits: SDO/AIA).

There is a high probability of a moderate geomagnetic storm hitting Earth over May 9th through 10th in the wake of two coronal mass ejections (CME) and a coronal hole spewing solar wind in the planet’s direction.

The two CMEs erupted from the Sun on May 7, from a sunspot region that is so large it is visible without aid of a telescope. Sunspot AR1476, one of a group of four spots larger than Earth, is expected to be a source of X-class solar flares, the most severe and hazardous classification.

The latest flares coincide with a coronal hole pointed in the direction of Earth.  A coronal hole is a gap in the Sun’s magnetic field that allows solar atmosphere to escape. The resulting outflow of gases constitutes solar wind. This wind is the cause of the vivid auroras seen the evening of May 8 over northern latitudes.

Photograph at sunset from Manila, the Phillipines in which Sunspot AR1476 is visible (Credits: Alberto Lao/Spaceweather.com).

In addition to auroras, the increased solar activity may present a threat to space based assets including communication and navigation satellites and the International Space Station crew. More severe storms can impact terrestrial electrical grids and interfere with commercial airliner routes in northern latitudes.

Photograph taken on the evening of May 8 from Scotland of the aurora (Credits: Graeme Whipps/Spaceweather.com).

 

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Merryl Azriel

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Having wandered into professional writing and editing after a decade in engineering, science, and management, Merryl now enjoys reintegrating the dichotomy by bringing space technology and policy within reach of an interested public. After three years as Space Safety Magazine’s Managing Editor, Merryl semi-retired to Visiting Contributor and manager of the campaign to bring the International Space Station collaboration to the attention of the Nobel Peace Prize committee. She keeps her pencil sharp as Proposal Manager for U.S. government contractor CSRA.

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