An unusually strong solar storm is currently hitting Earth, with the potential to produce northern lights in the U.S. this weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning on Friday afternoon when a solar outburst reached Earth hours sooner than anticipated.
The effects of the solar storm are expected to last through the weekend and possibly into next week. NOAA has alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
While the storm could produce northern lights as far south as Alabama and Northern California, experts have noted that it will not be the dramatic curtains of color normally associated with the northern lights. NASA has stated that the storm poses no serious threat to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station, but increased radiation levels could be a concern.
The increased radiation levels could also threaten some of NASA’s science satellites, with extremely sensitive instruments being turned off if necessary to avoid damage. The solar storm is part of the sun’s activity as it approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle.
Several sun-focused spacecraft are currently monitoring the solar storm to observe the effects. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. Stay tuned for updates on the solar storm and its potential impacts on Earth.
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