Satellite Problems, Power Grid Interruptions Possible as Solar Storm Hurls Past Earth

On July 1, a solar storm occurred, snowplowing dense plasma toward the Earth and causing geomagnetic storms that disrupted the nation's power grid and caused technical issues for satellites. At least two US states are impacted, according to weather data.

July 1 CME

The Sun is undergoing a period of increased activity, which includes the CME that struck on July 1.

According to earlier reports, experts predict that a solar eruption that erupted from the Sun on June 26 may approach Earth on June 30. The sun's farside was active on the specified date, despite the Earthside's continued silence. A partial halo CME was launched into space as a result of a hidden sunspot exploding. According to the website Spaceweather.com, the storm cloud will not directly strike Earth, however, it is hurled almost directly away from the planet. Experts also predict that when the active sunspot completes its farside transit in about 10 days, it will turn to face Earth.

A solar eruption, known as a coronal mass ejection or CME, is a massive plasma expulsion from the Sun's outer layer, known as the corona.

The Earth's magnetic field uses this mass ejection of solar particles to shield us from it as it travels through space.

The experts at SpaceWeather.com reported that on July 1st, an Earth-approaching CME occurred. It missed the magnetic field of the planet.

However, the researchers had anticipated that a "near miss" might have effects on the magnetic field of the Earth.

Instead, it was revealed by "snowplowing" dense plasma in the direction of the Earth, according to specialists at SpaceWeather.com.

A day earlier, a slow-moving CME that might have hit Earth but completely missed was reported on the website. The planet's magnetic field is expected to be quiet for the next three days, according to NOAA forecasters.

In addition, the website also reports that on July 1, a new sunspot has emerged.

Read also: Growing Sunspot Faces Earth, Second-Strongest Solar Flare Possible 

On-Going Power Interruptions

The website states that there were some problems in the Upper Midwest states of Minnesota and further west in the state of Washington.

According to SpaceWeather.com, the close call in those states resulted in a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm with auroras.

One benefit of solar storms is the appearance of auroras, the most well-known of which is the Northern Lights, the New York Post reports.

The attractive green and blue shapes in the sky are the results of the solar wind bombarding the Earth's magnetosphere, as seen in those natural light displays.

The Earth's magnetic field helps to shield its inhabitants from some of the more severe effects of solar flares and ejections, but it is unable to completely prevent them. A solar ejection that directly impacts Earth may trigger a powerful solar storm.

The power grid, satellite communications, and even radio blackouts may experience issues as a result.

In 1989, the Canadian Province of Quebec lost power for nine hours as a result of a powerful solar eruption that sent so many electrically charged particles toward Earth.

Related article: Massive Sunspot Could Potentially Fire a Powerful Solar Flare Towards Earth