Global space and geological agencies they raised the alert level before a intense solar activity that generated the largest geomagnetic storm in more than two decades. This event, driven by a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and named «cannibal storm»will continue and could reach the maximum intensity level G5 on the NOAA scale of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
He British Geological Survey (BGSfor its acronym in English British Geological Survey) updated its geomagnetic forecast to highest intensity level and indicated that increased activity from the next storm could have significant impacts on space and ground technologies. The first event already disrupted communications and the accuracy of the global positioning system (GPS).
The origin of this concern dates back to November 11, when a powerful solar flareclassified as a class X5.1 flare, with a peak around 10 a.m.
Solar flares are explosions that release as much energy as billion atomic bombswhich send a torrent of electromagnetic waves at the speed of light that reach Earth in eight minutes.
This flare was preceded by the observation of two strong X-type flares earlier in the week, all coming from the same active solar region, which had already generated two CMEs that triggered a severe geomagnetic storm of G4 intensity upon reaching Earth.
Less than an hour after the powerful X5.1 flare, a new Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was observed with an estimated initial velocity of around 1,500 kilometers per second. A CME is a large eruption of ionized gas of the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
High-resolution view of the Sun, captured by the Solar Orbiter probe. Photo: EFE/ESA/NASA/Solar Orbiter.The main concern lies in the concept of the «cannibal storm», a term that refers to the phenomenon where a second, faster storm reaches and merges with the first. According to Juha-Pekka Luntama, head of the space weather office at the European Space Agency (ESA), «The impact of the third CME depends largely on whether it merges with the first two or not.»
Northern lights: the «northern lights»
While severe space weather activity will continue predicted for the second half of this week, according to ESA, one effect visible to ground-based observers is the increased chance of seeing northern lights.
In fact, this luminous phenomenon was observed in Salgotarjannorth of Hungaryand about the Santa María lighthouse in Whitley Bay, Englandin addition to some areas in the northern United States.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Northern Lights, shine in the sky above St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the northeast coast of England. Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP.When a CME reaches Earth, it stresses our planet’s magnetic field, causing a geomagnetic storm. The BGS recorded that, at ground level, the first event had already created the largest geoelectric field measured since the meteorological agency began its records in 2012.
Meanwhile, ESA is closely monitoring this powerful event, whose effects are estimated to be severe and could impact satellites, power grids and navigation systems. Solar flares of this type are known for affect radio communications and satellite navigation (GNSS) applications in sun-facing regions, including Europe, Africa and Asia for this event.
Despite the potentially damaging effects on technology, these storms do not represent a biological risk direct for people on Earth, thanks to our planet’s protective atmosphere and magnetosphere, ESA explained.
The northern lights shine over Salgotarjan, northern Hungary. Photo: EFE/ Peter Komka.For its part, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) He explained that the space phenomenon will not have serious effects in Mexico. The institution recalled that the Mexican Space Weather Service (Sciesmex) maintains coordination with international agencies such as NOAA, ESA and the International Space Weather Service (ISES), in addition to collaborating with the Mexican Civil Protection authorities to issue bulletins in case of new relevant impacts.
Accurately predicting the timing of a solar flare and the exact magnitude of a storm remains a challenge. To reduce these uncertainties in the forecast, the ESA develops new missionssuch as Vigil, which will launch in 2031 to observe the «side» of the Sun from Lagrange Point 5, providing invaluable advanced knowledge.
