- Solar storm causes US radio blackouts, NOAA reports
- Midwest and eastern US regions affected by disruptions
- GPS, satellite communications, and power grids impacted
Radio blackouts have been reported in some areas of the United States following the discharge of a powerful stream of energized particles from the sun toward Earth early Wednesday morning.
At approximately 10:36 a.m. Eastern Time, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported disruptions in the Midwest and eastern regions of the United States.
The interference could also be affecting radar, GPS, and satellite communications, according to NOAA.
The sunspot that initiated the stream is the same region that was responsible for the superstorm earlier this month.
The event was anticipated to be one of the most severe in history, prompting NOAA to issue the first alert of its kind since 2005.
GPS, electrical grids, farming equipment, and satellites in orbit were all affected by the event.
The region, which is significantly frigid than the sun’s surrounding surface, has been receding from Earth for the past two weeks. However, it has reemerged in our planet’s view this week.
Earlier this month, NOAA conducted a briefing during a severe geomagnetic storm, which significantly disrupted Earth’s magnetosphere. The organization acknowledged that the sunspot is likely to reappear for another round.
Solar activity has been classified as “moderate” over the past 24 hours, with a minimum of 21 explosions emitted, two of which were particularly potent in the early hours of Wednesday.
Currently, the NOAA dashboard indicates a 60% probability of radio blackouts from Wednesday to at least Friday and a 10% probability of solar radiation storms.
Solar radiation storms are caused by processes at or near the sun accelerating significant quantities of charged particles, such as protons and electrons.
The near-Earth satellite environment is inundated with high-energy particles when these processes take place.
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The particles have the potential to interact with our planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, disrupting satellite communications, causing radiation hazards for astronauts in space, and interfering with power infrastructures.
Stunning auroras are also anticipated to be visible in the northern hemisphere this week.
Eight sunspots are presently active on the Earth-facing side of the sun.
NOAA reported two regions, 3691 and 3697, to have the potential to emit more intense eruptions this week.
