Teams at the Space Weather Prediction Center utilize a variety of data sources to forecast when geomagnetic storms will impact Earth. These storms, like the one currently occurring and expected to persist into the weekend, can have significant effects on our planet.
Ground and space-based observatories play a crucial role in collecting data for these predictions. Additionally, magnetic maps of the solar surface and ultraviolet observations of the sun's outer atmosphere are analyzed to determine when the sun is likely to emit solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other space weather phenomena that could potentially affect Earth.
According to astrophysicists and NASA advisers, such as Paul Sutter, monitoring the sun for signs of increased activity is key to anticipating these events. The presence of sunspots indicates the potential for significant solar storms, prompting scientists to closely monitor those areas for any solar flares or flashes emanating from the sun.
When a solar storm is suspected to have been launched, experts are on high alert. The material ejected from the sun during coronal mass ejections can reach Earth within 30 to 72 hours, triggering geomagnetic storms that can impact satellites and create electrical currents in the upper atmosphere. These currents can travel through the ground and potentially affect electric power grids, highlighting the importance of accurate space weather predictions.
