“Naret” reveals that the largest “solar storm” in 20 years will visit Earth this weekend. But not dangerous

“Narit” reveal “solar storm” The largest planet in 20 years will visit Earth this weekend, while Thailand is well protected by the geomagnetic field. So there is hardly any effect.

Date: May 11, 2024 Facebook Nareit National Institute for Astronomical ResearchTi posted a message warning that the largest solar storm in 20 years will visit Earth this weekend. But it's not dangerous. Observers in high latitudes are preparing to encounter the aurora borealis.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is a US agency that monitors solar storms. NASA has announced the discovery of a G5 solar storm, the most intense solar storm in 20 years, coming to visit Earth this weekend. Initial warning of possible interference with satellites. Electrical networks in the Polar countries, but they do not affect human health in any way. Observers in high latitudes can expect the aurora throughout this weekend. On Friday, May 10, 2024, NOAA issued a G4 solar storm detection warning, later upgraded to G5.

This solar storm occurs as a result of the expulsion of mass from the Sun (coronal mass ejection: CME). When these charged particles move, interference may cause. The Earth's magnetic field can be distorted when the Earth's magnetic field is disturbed and this will allow some particles to enter the Earth's upper atmosphere. It happens like the northern lights – the southern lights are what we call the aurora borealis

Measuring the intensity of a solar storm can be measured in several ways, from the Kp index to the G scale, which is used to measure the level of relatively intense solar storms from G1 to G5, which are the storms that will reach Earth this weekend. It is classified as a G5 storm, the highest level on par with Kp9. The last time a G5 warning was issued was on Halloween 2003, making it the most intense solar storm in history.

Normally, the Sun's solar mass is released and usually originates from regions on the Sun's surface with fluctuating magnetic fields. This causes the plasma to escape and be released from the sun. From Earth, we can observe this region of fluctuating magnetic fields. In the form of sunspots, this year coincides with the maximum solar period in the solar cycle of 11 years. Which will be able to find the most common point of death. The solar storm phenomenon is therefore a natural behavior of the sun that can be seen. There may be other solar storms. It was followed again during the solar maximum period that we are currently in.

When a solar storm reaches Earth, most of these charged particles are deflected by Earth's protective magnetic field. Only a small portion can bend along the lines of geomagnetic force and strike the upper layers of the atmosphere, creating the aurora borealis. In the event of a large mass release, such as in a violent solar storm. The plasma in the solar mass may interact with the Earth's magnetic field. Causing the Earth's magnetic field to deviate, this can cause particles to impact the atmosphere and cause aurora borealis at lower latitudes than usual. Therefore, this may cause the twilight light to be broader than usual. The altitude of the twilight zone is much higher than where humans live. Therefore, it is not harmful to human or animal health in any way.

However, solar storms may also affect electronic equipment that may be sensitive to changes in electrical fields, such as communications satellites orbiting above the Earth's atmosphere. Sometimes it may affect the electrical grid in the world. For countries at high latitudes, for example, the G5 solar storm that occurred in 2003 caused temporary power outages in Sweden. Some electrical transformers were destroyed in South Africa.

Communications satellites typically have measures to protect against solar storms, such as turning off or turning off equipment that may be at risk of damage. Therefore, materials that may interfere with the communications system are extremely dangerous. The electrical system is protected from damage that may occur.

Because Thailand is located close to the equator so our Thailand is well protected by the Earth's magnetic field. So the solar storm this time had little impact. For Thai people living in high latitude countries, they may be able to observe the aurora borealis throughout this weekend.

Thanks to the NARIT Facebook page, National Institute for Astronomical Research, Dr. Matiphon Tangmatitham – Academic Ph.D.