American scientists from Michigan State University studied the effect of solar storms on the migration of migratory birds. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Birds and other animals rely on the Earth’s magnetic field to travel long distances seasonally. However, periodic disturbances in the magnetic field due to solar flares and other energy emissions can affect the reliability of biological navigation.
The researchers analyzed large data sets from 37 weather radar stations and ground-based magnetometers that record changes in the planet’s magnetosphere.
The resulting information was used in two complementary statistical models to quantify the estimated impact of magnetic disturbances on bird migration. The models took into account known weather effects, temporal variables such as time of night, and geographic variables such as latitude and longitude.
Observations have shown that the number of migratory birds decreases by 9-17% due to space storms in spring and autumn. Autumn is the hardest time for birds, as harsh weather conditions on Earth are added to bad space weather.
Researchers also found that during fall geomagnetic disturbances, migratory birds are more likely to drift along with the wind rather than expend more effort to fight against oncoming air currents.
Previous scientists discovered Traces of the most powerful magnetic storm in history are preserved in the annual rings of ancient trees.