Highlights

  • Impending wave of CMEs between August 4-5
  • G1-class geometric storms expected
  • Potential to disrupt wireless communication, GPS services

Latest news

LTIMindtree Recognized as a Leader in Everest Group Payments IT Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2025

LTIMindtree Recognized as a Leader in Everest Group Payments IT Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2025

Coca-Cola India Scales Hydration, Accessibility and Local Employment at Magh Mela 2026

Coca-Cola India Scales Hydration, Accessibility and Local Employment at Magh Mela 2026

Piramal Critical Care and Blue-Zone Technologies collaborate to capture, collect and recycle waste anaesthesia gas

Piramal Critical Care and Blue-Zone Technologies collaborate to capture, collect and recycle waste anaesthesia gas

"We genuinely acknowledge those feelings...": Neeraj Pandey issues statement amid 'Ghooskhor Pandat' row, pulls down promotional material

"We genuinely acknowledge those feelings...": Neeraj Pandey issues statement amid 'Ghooskhor Pandat' row, pulls down promotional material

'History Repeated': Anushka Sharma reacts to RCB's WPL 2026 triumph

'History Repeated': Anushka Sharma reacts to RCB's WPL 2026 triumph

RBI revises FY27 Q1, Q2 GDP growth projections upward, defers full-year outlook to April policy after new GDP series

RBI revises FY27 Q1, Q2 GDP growth projections upward, defers full-year outlook to April policy after new GDP series

SaltDiscovery Media Group Marks 5 Years, Launches Brand Communion

SaltDiscovery Media Group Marks 5 Years, Launches Brand Communion

VinFast India Partners with Bank of Baroda to Deliver Dealer Invoice Financing Solutions

VinFast India Partners with Bank of Baroda to Deliver Dealer Invoice Financing Solutions

Solar Storm Strike! A CME to hit Earth on August 4 or 5, sparking G1-class Geomagnetic Storms, NASA says

Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on August 4th-5th, when one or more CMEs are expected to hit Earth. There is a minor impact on power grids and satellite operations. 

Solar Storm Strike! A CME to hit Earth on August 4 or 5, sparking G1-class Geomagnetic Storms, NASA says

In a recent development, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has cautioned about an impending wave of multiple CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejections) reaching Earth in the coming days.

Expected to occur between August 4th and 5th, these CMEs are the product of an M-class solar flare that erupted on August 1st, originating from the sunspot AR3380 on the Sun's Earth-facing side. This occurrence represents a significant instability event within the active sunspot.

As these CMEs approach Earth, fears are escalating that it could trigger an intense solar storm event, potentially inflicting damage on satellites and disrupting shortwave radio communication.

Potential Onset of Minor G1-class Geomagnetic Storms

Reports from SpaceWeather.com suggest the possibility of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms on the same days, August 4th and 5th.

These storms are expected to be triggered by one or more faint CMEs impacting Earth's magnetic field, which were projected towards us by a series of M-class eruptions from the active sunspot AR3380 on August 1st and 2nd.

Solar Storm Imminent: Implications and Threats

Currently, as many as nine active sunspot regions exist on the Earth-facing side of the Sun. This indicates a high likelihood for further solar flare explosions to occur.

If these flares are large enough, they could discharge substantial plasma and solar material into space, subsequently forming CMEs.

This particular event may not match the intensity of some previous solar storms, however, even minor storms are capable of causing considerable damage.

They have the potential to disrupt wireless communication, GPS services, and create challenges for airlines, mariners, ham radio controllers, and drone operators.

Such solar storms could potentially result in delayed flights, ships altering course, and disruption to the essential information transmitted via these low-frequency channels.

Concerns Over a Severe Geomagnetic Storm

However, if the subsequent CME turns out to be more intense, it could potentially culminate in a catastrophic G5-class geomagnetic storm, comparable to the infamous Carrington event.

The implications of such storms can be far more severe and destructive.

NASA's Critical Role in Solar Storm Prediction

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) possesses a comprehensive set of tools for observing the Sun, which has been in operation since 2010.

This observatory employs three critical instruments to gather data on various solar activities.

These include the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), which records high-resolution measurements of the longitudinal and vector magnetic field over the entire visible solar disk, the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), which gauges the Sun's extreme ultraviolet irradiance, and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), providing constant full-disk observations of the solar chromosphere and corona in seven extreme ultraviolet (EUV) channels.

Also watch: Grab Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with a massive ₹14,000 discount at Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

Solar Storm Strike! A CME to hit Earth on August 4 or 5, sparking G1-class Geomagnetic Storms, NASA says

Solar Storm Strike! A CME to hit Earth on August 4 or 5, sparking G1-class Geomagnetic Storms, NASA says

Lava Blaze Duo 3 review: Two displays for the price of one, but does it make sense?

Lava Blaze Duo 3 review: Two displays for the price of one, but does it make sense?

Redmi Note 15 Pro+ Review: A serious upgrade that plays it safe

Redmi Note 15 Pro+ Review: A serious upgrade that plays it safe

Vivo X200T vs Vivo X200 FE: Future-ready muscle or compact finesse?

Vivo X200T vs Vivo X200 FE: Future-ready muscle or compact finesse?

Redmi Note 15 Pro+ First Look: Bigger battery, brighter screen, sharper focus

Redmi Note 15 Pro+ First Look: Bigger battery, brighter screen, sharper focus

Realme Buds Clip review: Surprisingly good, if you know what you’re buying

Realme Buds Clip review: Surprisingly good, if you know what you’re buying

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Realme P4 Power 5G Review:29 Hours later, it still wouldn’t die

Realme P4 Power 5G Review:29 Hours later, it still wouldn’t die

Vivo X200T Review: A new kind of flagship in Vivo’s lineup

Vivo X200T Review: A new kind of flagship in Vivo’s lineup

Realme Pad 3 5G review: A productivity tablet that finally makes sense

Realme Pad 3 5G review: A productivity tablet that finally makes sense

Realme P4 Power 5G First Look: 10,001mAh battery, crammed into a slim design

Realme P4 Power 5G First Look: 10,001mAh battery, crammed into a slim design

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 and Batis 18mm f/2.8 review: Built for purists

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 and Batis 18mm f/2.8 review: Built for purists

GoPro Max 2 Review: GoPro’s Most Creative Camera Yet

GoPro Max 2 Review: GoPro’s Most Creative Camera Yet

Logitech MX Master 4 Review: A masterclass on improving perfection

Logitech MX Master 4 Review: A masterclass on improving perfection

X implements tech measures to prevent Grok from generating sexualised AI content

X implements tech measures to prevent Grok from generating sexualised AI content

CMF Headphone Pro review: Big style, bigger battery, bold sound all for ₹7,999

CMF Headphone Pro review: Big style, bigger battery, bold sound all for ₹7,999

Samsung’s JB Park Explains How India Fits Into Samsung’s Long-Term AI Bet

Samsung’s JB Park Explains How India Fits Into Samsung’s Long-Term AI Bet

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.