Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: LiveScience
Context: Stunning aurora displays illuminated the night sky during the strongest G-5 level geomagnetic storm in 21 years, producing green and blue hues across the Northern Hemisphere.
What are Geomagnetic storms?
They occur when events like solar flares emit higher-than-normal levels of radiation toward Earth, interacting with its magnetic field. These disturbances, driven by solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or high-speed streams of solar wind from coronal holes, lead to geomagnetic storms.
Effects of such storms range from the appearance of auroras to disruptions in communication systems due to high radiation, making communication on Earth challenging.
These storms are classified on a scale measuring their effects. At G1, there are weak fluctuations in power grids and minor impacts on satellite operations, with auroras visible. At G5, voltage control problems and grid system collapse occur, radio waves are disrupted for days, and auroras can be seen at lower latitudes.
