Massive Solar Blast Racing Toward Earth, Northern Lights May Be Visible in India

Washington: A powerful solar explosion has increased the concern of scientists amid continuous intense activity on the surface of the Sun. The US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a warning of a strong geomagnetic storm on Earth. According to scientists, the huge magnetic plasma cloud emanating from the Sun is moving towards the Earth at a fast speed and its effects can be visible on Monday.

What is the reason for this danger?

According to scientists, a M1.8 category solar eruption was recorded in the Sun's active region 4461. With this explosion a dense and highly magnetic filament sprang into space, moving straight in the direction of Earth. Its speed is said to be around 1400 kilometers per second.

What is solar filament?

A filament is a huge structure of gas and plasma present in the upper atmosphere of the Sun, which is held together by magnetic fields. When this structure becomes unstable, it throws huge amounts of energy and plasma into space. Such eruptions can affect the Earth's magnetic field.

How powerful will this storm be?

American agencies have expressed the possibility of a G-3 category geomagnetic storm. However, for some time it may also reach G-4 level. A G-3 category storm can have limited impact on satellite communications, radio communications and power networks, while a G-4 category storm is considered more severe.

What will the Northern Lights look like?

Experts say that if the Earth's magnetic field and the direction of the solar cloud are favorable, then auroras can be seen in relatively low latitude areas apart from the North and South Poles. Aurora is a natural optical phenomenon in which bright waves of green, purple and red colors are visible in the sky.

What are scientists keeping an eye on?

Experts say that the most important role will be played by the magnetic component called 'Bz'. If it remains in the opposite direction to the Earth's magnetic field, solar energy will be able to enter the Earth's atmosphere in greater quantities and the impact of storms may increase. Its exact information will be available only after the solar cloud reaches near the Earth.

Have such storms come before?

Earlier in the early days of June also, several explosions from the Sun had created G-2 level geomagnetic storms. Scientists believe that if the new solar cloud collides with pre-existing solar activity, its impact may increase further.

At present, space scientists, meteorologists and aurora lovers around the world are keeping an eye on this phenomenon. The coming few hours will decide whether this solar storm will be limited only to the discussions of scientists or will fill the night sky with colorful lights.