Skygazers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other parts of the US were recently treated to a stunning display of the northern lights, caused by a geomagnetic storm and solar flares shooting directly towards Earth. The recent geomagnetic storm was particularly intense, resulting in even more vibrant and widespread displays of the northern lights than usual.
A minor geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth on Tuesday, caused by a large coronal hole on the sun. The storm is predicted to have minor impacts on power systems, spacecraft operations, and migratory animals. Humans are well protected from the effects of solar flares and other solar phenomena.
Scientists are studying historic magnetic storms to understand the potential impact on our technological infrastructure. The Carrington Event of 1859, the New York Railroad Superstorm of 1921, and the Chapman-Silverman storm of 1872 are examples of massive magnetic storms that have occurred in the past.
A newly uncovered study reveals that super geomagnetic storms, like the one that hit Earth in 1872, are more common than previously thought. The study ranks the February 1872 event as one of the top three greatest geomagnetic storms on record. They found that the storm originated from a medium-size sunspot group, which is concerning given the intensity of the storm.
An international team of scientists has published a study confirming that solar storms powerful enough to impact our infrastructure are more common than previously thought. The researchers linked hundreds of accounts of unusual light phenomena with geomagnetic field measurements and sunspot records, showing they were all connected to a peak in solar activity. The storm was powerful enough to disrupt telegraph communications and affect the technological infrastructure even in the tropics.