serious solar storm As the U.S. grapples with a spate of major hurricanes heading toward Earth, space weather forecasters said Wednesday they could put further strain on power grids.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration intense magnetic storm Watch Thursday through Friday explosion from the sun It was discovered earlier this week. These storms can cause temporary interruptions to power and radio signals.
NOAA has notified operators of power plants and orbiting spacecraft to take precautions. It also warned of possible power outages as the Federal Emergency Management Agency deals with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helen and prepares for power outages. hurricane milton Continue across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.
Forecasters do not expect this solar storm to surpass the largest solar storm to hit Earth in more than 20 years, which hit Earth in May. But the distance that the spacecraft can measure is only 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away.
Rob Steenberg, a scientist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, said Florida’s location so far south that it can avoid power outages caused by solar surges unless they become very large.
“This adds a little more comfort level,” Steenberg said. “The reason we’re here is to let them know so they can prepare.”
NOAA space weather forecaster Sean Dahl said experts are more concerned about the potential impact on power grids in areas hit by Hurricane Helen two weeks ago.
The storm could also produce aurora borealis as far south as the lower Midwest and Northern California, but the exact location and time are unknown, NOAA said. Skygazers are reminded to point their smartphones upwards to take photos. In many cases, this device can capture aurora borealis that cannot be seen by the human eye.
May’s solar storm produced dazzling aurora borealis across the Northern Hemisphere, but caused no major disruption.
The Sun is nearing the peak of its current 11-year cycle, causing all recent solar activity.
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