A Geomagnetic Storm is Brewing
Understanding the Impacts of G5 Geomagnetic Storms
About G5 Geomagnetic Storms
G5 geomagnetic storms are the most powerful type of space weather event, capable of causing widespread disruptions to infrastructure and communications. These storms are caused by the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun.
Current Storm: G5 or Extreme
The current storm is classified as G5, indicating its extreme intensity. It is caused by a cluster of sunspots, dark cool regions on the solar surface. Solar activity has been increasing in recent months, and this storm is a result of that increased activity.
Rare Occurrence in Solar Cycle
G5 geomagnetic storms are rare, with only a handful occurring in the past century. The last G5 storm hit the planet in 2003. The current storm is the first G5 storm since then.
Source of the Storm
The source of the solar storm is a cluster of sunspots on the sun's surface. These sunspots are regions of intense magnetic activity, and they emit the charged particles that create the solar wind.
NOAA's Media Call
NOAA's space weather forecasters held a media call on May 10, 2024, to discuss the current solar storm. In the call, they emphasized the potential impacts of the storm and encouraged the public to take precautions to mitigate any disruptions.
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