Strong Solar Storm Could Buffet Earth Friday Updated at 1:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, 03.10.26
An unusually active Sun has professional astronomers amazed while amateurs revel in backyard sightings of two Jupiter-sized sunspots. Meanwhile, a heavy dose of space weather buffeted Earth midday Friday, and more stormy weather is on the way.
Forecasters said the stormy weather could disrupt satellite communications and poses a threat to power grids on Earth. So far there have been no reports of serious problems.
The active Sun also presents a nice opportunity for anyone to view sunspots, though safe viewing techniques must be employed to prevent eye damage.
The first storm of charged particles was unleashed by a dark region on the solar surface called Sunspot 484. The huge spot, about the size of Jupiter's surface, has been growing for several days and has rotated into a position that now points squarely at Earth.
Another giant sunspot is brewing and has generated two eruptions, the latest early Sunday. That storm could arrive early in the week.
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Sunspot 484 as it rotated into view.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Both sunspots seen as of Friday.
The solar eruption on Wednesday that sent a bubble of charged particles toward Earth.
CREDIT: SOHO/ESA/NASA |
"Astronomers can't remember the last time this happened: two Jupiter-sized sunspots crossing the face of the Sun at the same time," according to the NASA-run web site Spaceweather.com.
Sunspots are cooler regions of the Sun where magnetic energy wells up, often prior to eruptions.
It is easy to see sunspots from home with proper, safe viewing techniques. Astronomers suggest projecting the Sun's image through binoculars onto a white surface, like paper. Never look directly at the Sun, however, not with the naked eye or through binoculars or telescopes; serious eye damage will result.
Stormy week
Sunspot 484 let lose a storm of energetic particles, known as a coronal mass ejection at 3 a.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 22, according to forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The expanding cloud arrived midday Friday, robbing most skywatchers of the chance to see colorful aurora, or Northern Lights, which are typically seen only at night.
Forecasters said the second sunspot, number 486, is rotating into an effective position on the Sun's surface. Combined, the two sunspots could produce additional stormy weather over the next couple of weeks.
On Thursday, number 486 caused a major flare of its own, one that was expected to generate some space weather at Earth over the weekend even though it wasn't pointed directly at us. That glancing blow was expected to arrive Saturday. The next storm, also from Sunspot 486, may have been directed at Earth and would not likely arrive before Monday evening. Aurora could be visible into the northern U.S. states and much of northern Europe. The extent of the phenomenon won't be known until it happens.
Last week, a continuing "coronal hole" was already providing aurora farther north, in places like Alaska and northern Canada.
Astronomers say dark skies away from city lights, with a clear view of the northern horizon, offer the best chance to see aurora.
Odd timing
The stormy space weather comes as the Sun is actually in a declining mode of activity. An 11-year solar cycle peaked during 2001 and 2002. Sunspots are fewer now and activity will ramp down during the next three to four years. But, scientists say, isolated severe space weather can occur at any time.
|  FROM HOME: Bob Sandy of Roanoke County, Virginia, photographed sunspots 484 and 486 on Oct. 23, 2003 with a properly and safely equipped 3.5-inch amateur telescope. Click to enlarge
Credit: Bob Sandy; used with permission |
"Its somewhat unusual to have this much activity when were approximately three-and-a-half years past solar maximum," said Larry Combs, a forecaster with the NOAA Space Environment Centers Space Weather Operations. "In fact, just last week, solar activity was very low with an almost spotless Sun."
Space weather has hampered satellite communications before.
In 1997, an AT&T Telestar 401 satellite used to broadcast television shows from networks to local affiliates was knocked out during a solar storm. In May 1998 a space storm disabled PanAmSat's Galaxy IV, used for automated teller machines and airline tracking services, among other things. Another storm in July 2000 put several satellites temporarily out of contact and caused navigation problems in others.
Warning of impending storms allows satellite operators to reduce the risk of damage to some satellites by shutting down electronics.
Even cell phones can act up during solar storms, causing dropped calls.
In 1989, a solar storm tripped protective switches in Canadian Hydro-Qubec power company. All of Qubec lost power for nine hours. The problem nearly spread to the United States through an interconnected grid. Power companies have since developed programs to safeguard their systems, but experts say they remain at risk.
A Remarkable Auroral Display in September, 2002
"The aurora of the evening of Sept. 3, 2002 was very beautiful to observe, and covered a large part of the sky, even going overhead and to the south at times," said photographer Lyndon Anderson of Bismarck, North Dakota. This photo looks to the northwest. Lights on the horizon are from Washburn, ND. Look close and you can see the Big Dipper's stars. Click to enlarge
"Just past sunset, the sky over Tomahawk, Wisconsin became vibrantly alive with an absolutely stunning Auroral display," said photographer Carol Lakomiak. "In contrast to the still-blue twilight, patches of crimson appeared as I took this 15 second exposure. Click to enlarge
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