Geomagnetic storms may hit Earth due to solar eruptions this week

Researchers from IISER’s Centre of Excellence in Space Sciences (CESS) stated that Earth is going to face severe impact due to the geomagnetic storms that may hit the Earth due to solar eruptions.

Geomagnetic storms to hit Earth

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata revealed models which show a high probability of impact from geomagnetic storms. “Our DBM model fit indicates a very high probability of Earth impact with the modern speed in the range 451-615 km/s with arrival time uncertainty ranging from 9 FEB 05:48 UT to 10 FEB 09:53 UT. The impact is unlikely to be very hazardous. Moderate geomagnetic storms are likely,” tweeted the institute.

Their models indicate that material is expected to whir past at a speed of 21,60,000 kilometers per hour. While the hazardous impact is very unlikely, researchers believe that we will likely be experiencing moderate geomagnetic storms. According to a spaceweather.com report, the geo storms are triggered by coronal mass ejection (CME).

What is it and how will it affect us?

CMEs are huge expulsion of plasma and magnetic fields from the corona of the sun. It releases several billion tons of coronal material. This travels outwards towards other plants at a speed of 250 to 3,000 km/s. Geo storms are a result of CMEs colliding with the Earth. This means that they are caused when our planet’s magnetosphere experiences energy disturbances. Hence, in such scenarios, there is an efficient exchange of energy between the solar winds and the space that surrounds the planet.

Additionally, as per the Space Weather Prediction Center, Earth-directed CMEs take about 15-18 hours to reach. Researchers are estimating a G1-class storm and that the explosion will peak at the C3, a minor category. A G1 class geomagnetic storm has the potential of minorly impacting satellite operations. It can also lead to minor fluctuations of the power grid and increase auroras in higher latitudes. The CESS researchers also think that there is a higher chance of an M/X class solar flare in the coming days. However, the space environment is in its normal state at the moment.