An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth could produce northern lights in the U.S. this weekend and potentially disrupt power and communications.
by MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace WriterThis image provided by NASA shows a solar flare, as seen in the bright flash in the lower right, captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory on May 9, 2024. A severe geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for Earth starting Friday and lasting all weekend -- the first in nearly 20 years.
The storm could produce northern lights as far south in the U.S. as Alabama and Northern California, according to NOAA. But it was hard to predict and experts stressed it would not be the dramatic curtains of color normally associated with the northern lights, but more like splashes of greenish hues.
The most intense solar storm in recorded history, in 1859, prompted auroras in central America and possibly even Hawaii. “We are not anticipating that” but it could come close, said NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl. Even when the storm is over, signals between GPS satellites and ground receivers could be scrambled or lost, according to NOAA. But there are so many navigation satellites that any outages should not last long, Steenburgh noted.
NOAA Northern Lights Communications Geomagnetic Storm Power Aurora Satellites
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Celebrating Earth Day: The first satellite images of the earth were taken 64 years agoTIROS 1 was the first weather satellite, launched in 1960
Read more »
Why on Earth do we celebrate Earth Day?Earth day is coming up on Monday but do you know what Earth Day actually is. Or why we celebrate?
Read more »
Strong storms may bring flooding, strong winds to the South this weekendThere is a threat of heavy downpours that may bring flash flooding in Texas.
Read more »
Impact: Strong Winds & Few Strong Storms, Heavy Rain TonightWinds may gust greater than 40 miles per hour tonight as periods of heavy rain cross the Valley. There may be isolated, embedded strong to severe thunderstorms as well.
Read more »
Sun Fires 'Solar Storm Train' at Earth—Three Direct Hits for WeekendFive coronal mass ejections have been released from the sun in a short period of time, three of which are due to hit the Earth and cause geomagnetic storms.
Read more »
Solar storm heading to Earth could disrupt communications and bring northern lights to CaliforniaA geomagnetic storm is heading to Earth, with the possibility to disrupt GPS and communications. It could also bring the northern lights to Northern California, much farther south than is typical.
Read more »