A powerful geomagnetic storm, the most severe on record in over two decades, recently impacted Earth and could’ve caused widespread power outages and disruptions to electronics worldwide.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G5 geomagnetic storm watch, the highest level on their scale. This unusual atmospheric event began last Friday and lasted throughout the weekend.
Electronics at risk. Watch the Aurora!
The last G5 storm struck Earth in October 2003 and resulted in power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa. Scientists warn that the recent storm has the potential for similar disruptions, impacting power grids, communications, navigation systems, radio, and satellite operations.
However, the storm also offered a spectacular light show for skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere. Residents as far south as Alabama and Northern California were treated to a view of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, caused by the interaction of solar flares and Earth’s magnetosphere.
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While the aurora borealis is a beautiful phenomenon, NOAA is urging caution. Power plant operators and spacecraft agencies worldwide were alerted to take precautions to mitigate the potential effects of the storm. This included voltage control measures and protecting sensitive equipment.
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