The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) announced on Saturday that the Earth is currently surrounded by a solar storm, raising concerns about the impact on satellites, power grids, and space stations.
A private news outlet reported that solar storms occur when the Sun releases massive bursts of energy, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which send streams of electrical charges and magnetic fields hurtling towards Earth at speeds approaching three million miles per hour.
Suparco highlighted that the geomagnetic storms heading toward Earth are the result of recent emissions from the Sun. The national space agency confirmed that three CMEs are presently en route to our planet, with the first two M-class solar flares having been launched on August 7.
Although the initial CMEs were relatively minor, a spokesperson for Suparco warned that the third CME, an X1.3-class solar flare, is significantly more powerful. Furthermore, additional M-class flares have been released from the Sun’s surface, which could exacerbate the situation.
The effects of these plasma and magnetic waves are expected to reach Earth over the next three to four days. As the Sun approaches the peak of its solar cycle, the risks to Earth increase, including potential radio blackouts, disrupted satellites, and compromised cellular phone and GPS networks.
