A cautionary note has been issued as we brace ourselves for an approaching solar storm set to hit us on December 27. This alert follows a celestial event on December 24 when a coronal mass ejection (CME) took place due to the eruption of a magnetic filament on the side of the Sun facing our planet.
According to NASA’s forecast models, the anticipated impact of this CME on Earth is expected today. However, the reliability of this prediction remains uncertain, with SpaceWeather.com highlighting the possibility of only minor G1-class geomagnetic storms on December 27. The uncertainty lies in the fact that these storms might either lightly touch or bypass Earth’s magnetic field.
In the event of an interaction with Earth, a G1-class geomagnetic storm may unfold on December 27. This could bring forth dancing auroras in high-latitude regions, minor disruptions to power grids and satellites, and an increase in radiation exposure for astronauts and airline crews. Furthermore, communication interruptions are likely for sailors, pilots, drone operators, and radio enthusiasts.
It’s worth noting that this warning follows a prior alert for a solar storm on November 30, where NASA, Space Weather Prediction Center Scientists, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center had cautioned about “cannibal CMEs” striking Earth, causing a geomagnetic storm between the night of November 30 and the early morning of December 1. As we await the solar storm on December 27, the celestial drama continues to unfold, reminding us of the unpredictable wonders and challenges our cosmic neighborhood presents.