Solar storm alert! A CME just hit the Earth today and more are coming

• Recently, on September 17th, Earth was hit by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that was spewed out by the Sun earlier.
• Solar activity has been on the rise, with recent developments stoking concerns about potential repercussions for our planet.

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

• These are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona that propagate outward into interplanetary space.
• During a CME, the Sun releases a colossal amount of material that travels at high speeds into space.
  • These include electrons, protons, and heavier ions as well as magnetic fields

Causes

• CMEs are typically triggered by the destabilisation of the Sun's magnetic fields.
• They often involve the reconfiguration or disruption of magnetic loops on the Sun's surface.
• CMEs are distinct from solar flares, although they often occur together.
  • Solar flares are sudden and intense bursts of energy and radiation.
  • CMEs involve the expulsion of solar material.

Impacts on Earth

• Geomagnetic Storms
  • The interaction between the CME's magnetic fields and Earth's magnetosphere can lead to geomagnetic storms.
  • These can disrupt satellite communications, navigation systems and even power grids.
• Auroras
  • CMEs can also lead to auroras by energising particles in Earth's atmosphere.
• Radiation Hazards
  • Astronauts in space or passengers on high-altitude flights can be exposed to elevated levels of radiation during a CME event.

Prelims Takeaway

• Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)
• Solar Flares
• Auroras