- Multiple solar storms and a “dark flare” led to the formation of a “cannibal” cloud
- This gas ejection is quite rare and can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth
It is quite common for the Earth to be struck by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that have erupted from the sun.
But what is less familiar to scientists is the terrifying so-called “cannibal” ejection of energetic and highly magnetized gas, which is exactly what is currently on a collision course with our planet.
As it originates from multiple solar storms and an unusual ‘dark flare’, there are fears that the cannibalistic CME could trigger a weak geomagnetic storm when it hits Earth today (Tuesday).
While it is unlikely to significantly affect our electronic systems, satellites or power grids, scientists have warned that there is a possibility of minor outages and outages.
Sean Elvidge, Associate Professor of Space Environment at the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline: ‘These storms manifest as large perturbations in the Earth’s magnetic field, potentially causing a variety of space weather effects.
“On the one hand, they can cause radio blackouts, disrupting our planet’s communication systems. On the other hand, these storms can produce awe-inspiring displays of natural beauty known as auroras.
Essentially, a “cannibal” CME forms when the initial ejection is followed by a second, faster one that catches up with the first and sweeps it away to create a huge wave of plasma.
“This could have significant consequences both in space and here on Earth,” added Dr. Elvidge.
“The CME collision serves as a reminder of the enormous power of the sun and its potential impact on our technological infrastructure and society.”
Four days ago, a so-called “dark flare” — so named because the solar flare contains unusually cold plasma, making it appear darker compared to the sun’s surface — was fired along with the CME.
Then, 24 hours later, a second, faster CME erupted from a separate, much larger sunspot.
It was this faster CME that caught up with the previous one and led to the creation of the cannibal cloud that is expected to hit us later.
The Met Office’s space weather guidance said “unstable to active geomagnetic activity is initially likely”, with a chance for small geomagnetic storms.
That prediction was echoed by the US-based Space Weather Prediction Center, which produced a simulation showing the cannibal CME should hit us today.
Such impacts are quite rare because they require successive CMEs that must move at specific speeds and be perfectly aligned with each other.
However, one struck just two years ago and caused a major geomagnetic storm.
These storms are categorized according to the G-scale.
What is expected to trigger today is the weakest type, or G-1, which could cause slight fluctuations in the power grid and have a minor impact on satellite operations.
G-2 is moderate, G-3 is severe – which may trigger false alarms on some security devices – and G-4 is severe.
A G-5 geomagnetic storm is the most severe. Labeled “extreme”, it can cause power outages, damage transformers and make it difficult to control satellites in low Earth orbit.
Although rare, cannibalistic CMEs are being observed in increasing numbers as the sun reaches the peak of its 11-year solar cycle – the next of which is expected in 2025.
This is because the sun’s magnetic field is becoming increasingly unstable, which in turn increases the number of sunspots from which CMEs can erupt.
The 2025 peak was thought to be weaker than past solar maxima, although recent research suggests otherwise — and that it could come as early as two years.
SOLAR STORMS ARE OBVIOUS DANGER TO ASTRONAUTS AND CAN DAMAGE SATELLITES
Solar stormsor solar activity, can be divided into four main components which may have an impact on Earth:
- Solar flares: A large explosion in the solar atmosphere. These flares are made of photons that emanate directly from the flare site. Solar flares only affect Earth when they occur on the side of the sun facing Earth.
- Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): Large clouds of plasma and magnetic field that erupt from the sun. These clouds can erupt in any direction and then continue in that direction, piercing the solar wind. These clouds only impact the Earth when they are directed towards the Earth.
- High-speed solar wind streams: They come from coronal holes on the sun, which form all over the sun, and usually only when closer to the solar equator do the winds affect Earth.
- Solar energy particles: High-energy charged particles believed to be released primarily from shocks formed at the front of coronal mass ejections and solar flares. When a CME cloud passes through the solar wind, solar energetic particles can be produced, and because they are charged, they follow the magnetic field lines between the Sun and Earth. Only charged particles that follow the magnetic field lines crossing the Earth will have an effect.
Although they may appear dangerous, astronauts are not in immediate danger from these phenomena due to the relatively low orbit of manned missions.
However, they should be concerned about cumulative exposure during spacewalks.
The damage caused by solar storms
Solar flares can damage satellites and have huge financial costs.
The charged particles can also endanger airlines by disturbing the Earth’s magnetic field.
Very large eruptions can even create currents in electrical grids and stop energy supplies.
When coronal mass ejections hit Earth, they cause geomagnetic storms and enhanced aurora.
They can disrupt radio waves, GPS coordinates and overload electrical systems.
A large influx of energy can flow into high-voltage power grids and permanently damage transformers.
It could shut down businesses and homes around the world.