Key Points of the Recent Geomagnetic Activity
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Visibility of Northern Lights May Extend South: The cosmic display of the northern lights, typically reserved for higher latitudes, could be seen further south than normal, sparking excitement among sky-watchers.
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San Antonio Remains Dark: Unfortunately, residents in San Antonio should not expect to catch a glimpse of the aurora. The atmospheric conditions necessary for viewing are simply not met this time.
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The Hill Country Has a Slight Chance: There exists a very slight possibility (around 30%) that certain cameras may detect the aurora in Texas’ Hill Country region, despite the naked eye seeing nothing.
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Coronal Mass Ejection Hits Earth: A significant coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun reached Earth on Thursday, October 10, arriving at 10:15 a.m. CDT, causing increased geomagnetic activity.
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Ongoing Monitoring by Space Weather Prediction Center: The Space Weather Prediction Center is actively monitoring the situation to assess the intensity of the geomagnetic storm triggered by the CME.
- Potential Technology Impacts: While major disruptions are deemed unlikely, the storm could lead to minor technological impacts, particularly affecting GPS systems and satellites.
What is Happening?
A coronal mass ejection (CME) represents a powerful release of gas and magnetic energy from the sun. Observations on October 8 indicated a stronger-than-usual CME, which finally made contact with Earth on the 10th. Since Earth is approximately 93 million miles away from the sun, it takes around two days for such phenomena to reach us.
The arrival of the CME was confirmed at 10:15 a.m. CDT by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), based on measurements taken from instrumentation located about one million miles from Earth.
In fact, the initial observations showed that the CME arrived at almost 1.5 million miles per hour, stirring up concerns regarding the intensity of potential geomagnetic storms. As SWPC noted, “The anticipated coronal mass ejection (CME) arrived at Earth at 11:15 a.m. EDT.”
Since the CME’s arrival, it has triggered stronger geomagnetic storms classified as G4 (severe) by the SWPC, marking a dynamic and exciting time for scientists observing solar activity.
Will San Antonio See the Aurora?
CMEs are known to interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to the enchanting auroras, commonly known as northern lights. While it has been an active solar season, with a remarkable occurrence of auroras visible in San Antonio during May, this particular event is expected to be less favorable in comparison.
This week’s storm is the result of a single CME, diminishing the chances for a visible aurora. However, in areas like the Hill Country, advanced camera technology may still register the aurora, even if the human eye cannot.
Experts are monitoring specific indicators related to the storm, and, should certain thresholds be reached, it may enhance the likelihood of viewing auroras in Texas—albeit through cameras rather than direct observation.
Technology Impacts
As geomagnetic storms surge, so does the potential for disruptions in technology. Although major disruptions remain unlikely, minor impacts may occur, specifically concerning GPS and satellite communications. Advanced GPS systems might experience degradation, potentially affecting navigation systems utilized in crucial operations like disaster relief.
Furthermore, while power grids are expected to handle this solar event without major issues, utilities have proactively been notified of potential disturbances, allowing them to make necessary adjustments.
In more severe scenarios outlined by the SWPC, ongoing recovery efforts for recent hurricanes could face challenges from the storm. According to SWPC warnings, communications reliant on low-Earth orbit satellites might see interruptions, power grids could face added stress, and GPS services may be hindered.
The Space Weather Prediction Center is committed to keeping FEMA and various state agencies informed regarding any operational impacts.
Residents and enthusiasts are encouraged to keep a watchful eye on the skies, armed with cameras, and share any stunning captures via the KSAT Connect platform. As solar activity continues to unfold, there may yet be more to expect from our celestial neighbor.