Powerful solar storm hits Earth, likely to damage communication satellites and power grids

Solar storm: A powerful solar storm hit the Earth on Friday. It was the most powerful solar storm to hit Earth in the last two decades. Due to this, tremendous lightning fell in the sky from Tasmania to Britain. The impact of this solar storm will last till the end of the week and its impact may cause damage to communication satellites and power grids at many places. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this storm has come to Earth due to multiple coronal mass ejections. The ejection of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun's surface is called coronal mass ejection.

The last time a powerful storm hit Earth was in October 2003.

Earlier in October 2003, a solar storm had hit the Earth. The solar storm was dubbed the Halloween Storm and caused power outages across Sweden, as well as causing extensive damage to power grids in South Africa. NOAA estimates that more solar storms may occur in the coming days. Auroras were observed in Australia and Northern Europe due to solar storms. In auroras, the reaction between particles from the Sun when they enter the Earth's magnetic field causes the Sun's particles to appear as bright, colorful lights.

These areas will be affected by the storm

A professor of astrophysics at the University of Reading says the impact of the solar storm will be felt most in Earth's northern and southern latitudes but how far it will spread will depend on the storm's ultimate strength. The effect of this solar storm will be seen in American states like Northern California and Alabama. Solar storms affect Earth's magnetic field and damage energy centers. Apart from this, there can be problems in planes also due to the effect of radiation. The safety of astronauts is also being taken care of and all necessary precautions have been taken. NASA astronauts may be asked to stay inside the station.

The most powerful storm on record is known as the Carrington Event. This storm came in September 1859. Due to the severe shorting of telegraph lines due to the impact of this storm, technicians got electrocuted and some telegraph equipment also caught fire.