Geomagnetic storm from a solar flare could disrupt radio communications and create a striking aurora

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News/AP

March 24, 2024, 5:21 PM


BOULDER, Colo. -- Space weather forecasters have issued a geomagnetic storm watch through Monday, saying an ouburst of plasma from a solar flare could interfere with radio transmissions on Earth. It could also make for great aurora viewing.

There's no reason for the public to be concerned, according to the alert issued Saturday by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado.

The storm could interrupt high-frequency radio transmissions, such as by aircraft trying to communicate with distant traffic control towers. Most commercial aircraft can use satellite transmission as backup, said Jonathan Lash, a forecaster at the center.

Satellite operators might have trouble tracking their spacecraft, and power grids could also see some “induced current” in their lines, though nothing they can't handle, he said. “For the general public, if you have clear skies at night and you are at higher latitudes, this would be a great opportunity to see the skies light up,” Lash said.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/geomagnetic-storm-solar-flare-disrupt-radio-communications-create-108447755

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. "no reason for the public to be concerned" -- That's what they want you to think!

My house is covered in aluminum foil, just like my dogs and me. Makes typing a little difficult but I'll be laughing at all of you running around mutating and smoldering and stuff!

[William Seger]

2. I happened to take this picture yesterday, practicing for the eclipse

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Sun spots!

[Roy Rolling]

4. Just an amateur observation

That’s a mess of sunspots pointing directly at the Earth as it appears. I wonder if the precise aiming of the energy stream toward Earth will produce a surprise effect.

I have no scientific qualifications, the location of the spot cluster looked unique and unusual.

[electric_blue68]

5. For next time (bc I think this event is over) go to the Geophysical Institute of Fairbanks Alaska they monitor for....

Auroras

Have days out productions. A very cool Earth map with aurora path.

I almost always have a tab ready to check it if something unusual happens since it's very, very rare to see them in NYC.

[Novara]

6. Every time there's a solar flare my mobile data usage on my phone jumps.

I can't find any explanation this might be happening but every time there's increased solar activity, my mobile data use on my phone jumps. It seems to have an issue connecting to wifi and when it does, I have it set so that it normally switches to mobile data automatically. There are times I turn that off so I don't go over my plan.

Maybe it's Spectrum's fault.

[prodigitalson]

7. my wifi was acting funky yesterday...I wonder if that is why