Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have verified the imminent arrival of a 'Cannibal' eruption from the Sun, scheduled to reach Earth on December 1, said a report by India Today.
Image : NASA
The approaching Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is a result of a faster-moving solar eruption overtaking a preceding one. This collision is expected to create a massive plasma wave with highly charged and tangled magnetic fields.
The impending Cannibal CME is the consequence of two earlier solar storms, with NASA models predicting a substantial impact on Earth.
Renowned space weather physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov has indicated that this trio of solar disturbances could lead to G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storm conditions. A geomagnetic storm disrupts Earth's magnetosphere due to interactions between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field.
According to experts, the expected storm, classified as G3, is not to be taken lightly. Recent occurrences on November 5th resulted in vibrant auroras and deep-red SAR arcs over Canada and UK, indicating significant heat energy entering the upper atmosphere.
The upcoming storm could extend auroral displays beyond their usual polar locations, reaching into mid-latitudes.
Despite the visual spectacle, the storm poses risks, with potential issues for radio enthusiasts and GPS users, especially on Earth's night side.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued alerts for the possibility of G3+ geomagnetic conditions, warning of intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation problems, along with vivid auroras.
Power grid operators and satellite communication providers are on high alert, bracing for potential impacts as the world awaits the solar storm's arrival, balancing anticipation for a celestial light show with the potential challenges posed by the Sun's turbulent behaviour.