Desk, The most powerful solar storm in two decades hit the Earth on Friday. Due to this, a bright sight has been seen in the sky from America to Britain. America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has classified this magnetic storm as G5 category.
Let us tell you that geomagnetic storms are measured on a scale from G1 to G5, in which G5 is considered to be the most extreme level of solar storm. Five eruptions from the sun’s atmosphere began late Friday night and are predicted to continue through Sunday. The true strength of the solar storm will be known about 60 to 90 minutes before it hits the Earth because satellites measure the burst of energy released.
Such solar storms have the potential to affect various systems both in Earth’s orbit and on the planet’s surface. There is a possibility of disruption in communications, electrical power grids, navigation, radio and satellite operations. On Earth, humans get protection from the Earth’s magnetic field. But electrical grids are at risk, pipelines can be charged with current, and spacecraft can go off course.
It is worth noting that the last time a G5 solar storm hit Earth was in October 2003 – which was the worst on the scale. It resulted in power outages in Sweden and damage to transformers in South Africa. After a thorough analysis of the solar storm, NASA has said that it poses no threat to the crew aboard the International Space Station.
