A powerful magnetic storm is near Earth, according to the heliogeophysics service of the Institute of Applied Geophysics. The event is expected to peak on February 12 and could disrupt shortwave radio communications across the globe and in subpolar regions, causing navigation interference. A Class X solar flare is capable of triggering this phenomenon. (Attribution: Institute of Applied Geophysics)
Some experts note that individuals whose well being depends on weather patterns may experience mood changes and a general sense of being off. (Attribution: Institute of Applied Geophysics)
On February 9, observers reported a massive sunspot cluster that could drive powerful magnetic storms on Earth. The sunspot group comprises at least four nuclei, each larger than Earth itself. The scale of this structure is so immense that it can be discerned from Mars in the latest imagery captured by the Perseverance rover. (Attribution: Institute of Applied Geophysics)
Sunspots appear as dark, cooler regions on the surface of a star and can emit bursts of electromagnetic energy. These bursts may be accompanied by coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which release solar material into space and can interact with Earth’s magnetic field. (Attribution: Institute of Applied Geophysics)
Astronomers highlight that the current activity aligns with the approaching peak of the 11 year solar cycle, a period historically associated with heightened solar events. (Attribution: Institute of Applied Geophysics)