Severe solar eruption yields vivid natural display.
Two decades have gone by since the last intense solar storm, and now there's a new one on the horizon. Authorities in the United States warn that this storm could impact power grids, GPS, and other technologies. However, it also has a silver lining – it's causing stunning auroras.
As per the information provided by a top American official, Earth has experienced its first "severe" solar storm since 2003. The level five storm on a five-level scale has been spotted, as mentioned by the Space Weather Prediction Center of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The storm is scheduled to last into the weekend.
The agency also added that GPS, power grids, spacecraft, satellite navigation, and similar technologies could be disrupted. But, that's not all; solar storms are also known to produce awe-inspiring auroras. In some instances, these auroras can be seen in regions much farther south than their usual locations.
Photographs of these auroras have been widely shared on social media platforms. The German Weather Service (DWD) posted images on Saturday night, which allegedly depicted auroras over Offenbach and Frankfurt am Main. NOAA revealed that October 2003 marked the last time category five, or "severe," was reached. During this event, known as the Halloween storms, there were power outages in Sweden, and transformers were damaged in South Africa.
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The stunning auroras caused by the solar storm are attracting attention on social media, with photos of the displays shared widely. Meanwhile, as part of their education, students might learn about the effects of solar eruptions on Earth's technological systems.
Source: www.ntv.de
