Massive solar storm heading towards Earth today; GPS, phone signal may be impacted

A high-speed stream of solar wind is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. The storm is approaching the Earth at a speed of 1.6 million kilometers per hour, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and is expected to hit our planet’s magnetic field later today.

 

The storm may affect power supply, phone signals, GPS, and other communication infrastructure across the globe. The satellites in the Earth’s upper atmosphere are also expected to get impacted by the incoming flares. 

This solar flare was first detected by scientists on July 3. The flare is coming out from an equatorial hole in the sun’s atmosphere. Wind speeds could top 600 km/s, Spaceweather.com said.

 

There will be a view of alluring celestial lighting for the people living at the North or South Pole. The people living closer to these areas can expect to see the alluring aurora at night.

 

What are Solar Storms?

A Solar Storm is also known as a geomagnetic storm or magnetic storm. A solar storm is an atmospheric effect felt on Earth from certain events that occur on the Sun. It is a disturbance on the Sun, which can spread outward across the heliosphere, affecting the entire Solar System, including our planet Earth.

A solar storm can cause a temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere due to a solar wind shock wave and/or cloud of the magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. Solar System(s) of the Galaxy! Scientists Spot Distant Star System Hosting Planets Revolving in Strange ‘Rhythm’ Around the Orbits.

 

We typically see a solar flare by the photons (or light) it releases, at almost every wavelength of the spectrum. The primary ways we monitor flares are in x-rays and optical light. Flares are also sites where particles (electrons, protons, and heavier particles) are accelerated.

 

Does Solar flare harm human health?

Solar storms emit radiations, exposure to which is harmful to human health and can cause organ damage, radiation sickness, and cancer.

 

Experts state that there’s no significant risk to humans on the ground from solar flares. This is due to the fact that the Earth's atmosphere acts as a protective shield for living beings, absorbing most of the radiation.

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