On the evening of September 26, a geomagnetic storm, which was relatively weak, occurred.
Illustration image: Pixabay.
Just two days earlier, scientists at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported a solar radiation burst known as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), which descended upon Earth’s magnetic field and resulted in a rare display of red auroras.
Geomagnetic storms have the potential to disrupt electrical transmission, interrupt satellite positioning services, and affect the operations of satellites and spacecraft. However, they also produce stunning auroras in the southern hemisphere, featuring shades of green, purple, and even red.
The impact of a CME on Earth and its atmosphere depends on various factors, including the energy level upon impact and the angle of interaction with our planet.
A major solar storm once struck our planet in 1859, a time when electronic devices were scarce.
The geomagnetic storm that occurred on September 1-2, 1859, is famously known as the “Carrington Event.” It remains the largest recorded geomagnetic storm in history. The storm was so intense that it created incredibly bright and vivid auroras across the entire planet.
People in California, USA, mistakenly believed that the Sun had risen early. Residents in the northeastern regions of the country were able to read newspapers at night due to the brilliant auroras. Even those farther south, such as Hawaii and central Mexico, witnessed auroras in the night sky.
The event caused severe damage to telegraph lines and severely limited communication at the time. Telegraph systems worldwide were disrupted, and some telegraph operators reported receiving electrical shocks due to the geomagnetic storm.