Context

• A fierce solar storm is moving towards the Earth at a speed of 1.6 million kilometers per hour.
• It is feared that this storm may hit the Earth today, due to which there may be a power failure around the world.

About

• NASA has classified this flare as an X1.5-class flare.
• X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.
• An X2 is twice as intense as an X1, an X3 is three times as intense, etc.

Impact

• Satellite signals can be interrupted due to this collision.
• It can also have a direct effect on radio signals, communication and weather.
• The storm can have a significant impact on a region of space dominated by Earth's magnetic field.
• It can cause interference in GPS navigation, mobile phone signals and satellite TV, current in power lines can be increased.
• Note: However, this is rarely the case because the Earth's magnetic field acts as a protective shield.
• Due to the solar storm, people living at the North or South Pole will be able to see a view of beautiful celestial lighting (auroras) at night.
• A solar storm in March 1989 caused a nine-hour blackout Hydro-Québec's electricity transmission system in Canada.

https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/solar-storm-to-hit-earth-today-7400565/

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