'Beauty and the beast': The beautiful auroras pose significant threat to Earth's infrastructure
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Threat from Auroras
A new study highlights that auroras, long admired for their beauty, can actually pose a significant threat to our planet. They generate currents that have the potential to damage infrastructure crucial for electricity transmission, such as pipelines.
Study in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
Scientists outlined these risks in a recent publication in the journal Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, underscoring the dangers posed by geomagnetically induced currents.
Role of Interplanetary Shocks
The strength of these currents is determined by the angle at which interplanetary shocks impact Earth. Understanding these impacts allows for forecasting and protecting critical infrastructure.
Insights from Lead Author
Dr. Denny Oliveira from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre explained, "Auroras and geomagnetically induced currents share common space weather drivers. Auroras visually signal that electric currents in space can induce harmful currents on the ground."
Expansion of Auroral Region
During severe geomagnetic storms, the auroral region expands significantly. This expansion, noted Oliveira, can reach latitudes as low as 40 degrees during extreme events like the May 2024 storm, the most severe in decades.
Formation of Auroras
Auroras form when particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field during geomagnetic storms or when the magnetic field is compressed by interplanetary shocks.
Impact on Infrastructure
These shocks also generate geomagnetically induced currents, capable of damaging electrical infrastructure over time, even with less intense or frequent shocks.
Recommendations for Infrastructure Protection
Dr. Oliveira suggested proactive measures for power infrastructure operators, such as managing specific electric circuits during shock alerts to mitigate the risks posed by geomagnetically induced currents.