Solar storm set to hit Earth TOMORROW after HOLE opens up in the Sun
EXPRESS
A SOLAR storm is expected to hit Earth TOMORROW as a massive “canyon-shaped” hole opened up on the surface of the sun.
A coronal hole – an opening in the sun’s upper atmosphere – has opened on the surface of the sun which is in the shape of a canyon – a long and narrow slit. The hole is unleashing a barrage of cosmic rays and unfortunately for Earth, we are in their way. There is a chance that the solar storm could hit today, but it is more likely to be tomorrow when it could cause northern lights, or aurora borealis.
As the magnetosphere gets bombarded by solar winds, stunning blue lights can appear over the upper reaches of the Northern hemisphere and the lower parts of the southern hemisphere.
Cosmic forecasting site Space Weather announced the impending solar storm, writing on the website: “A stream of solar wind is about to hit Earth's magnetic field. Estimated time of arrival: Feb. 20th or 21st.
“The gaseous material is flowing from a canyon-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere. Arctic sky watchers can expect minor geomagnetic storms and auroras mixed with bright moonlight when the fast-moving stream arrives.
While this solar storm is not dangerous, the consequences could be far more serious than the appearance of the Northern or Southern Lights.
Solar storm set to hit Earth TOMORROW after HOLE opens up in the Sun (Image: GETTY)
For the most part, the Earth’s magnetic field protects humans from the barrage of radiation, but solar storms can affect satellite-based technology.
Solar winds can heat the Earth’s outer atmosphere, causing it to expand.
This can affect satellites in orbit, potentially leading to a lack of GPS navigation, mobile phone signal and satellite TV such as Sky.
Additionally, a surge of particles can lead to high currents in the magnetosphere, which can lead to higher than normal electricity in power lines, resulting in electrical transformers and power stations blow outs and a loss of power.
The solar storm could cause northern lights (Image: GETTY)
The higher amounts of radiation also leave people vulnerable to cancer.
The Met Office has warned that we will face a monumental solar storm in the future, which could knock out Britain’s technology and cost the UK almost £16billion in damages.
The country could be blunged into a blackout because it is not prepared enough for powerful solar storms, the Met Office told ministers.
Solar storms can effect satellites (Image: GETTY)
The weather forecaster believes the UK does not have sufficient infrastructure to prepare ourselves for such an event.
A researcher from the Met Office said: “We find that for a one-in-100-year event, with no space weather forecasting capability, the gross domestic product loss to the United Kingdom could be as high as £15.9bn.
“With existing satellites nearing the end of their life, forecasting capability will decrease in coming years, so if no further investment takes place, critical infrastructure will become more vulnerable to space weather
EXPRESS
A SOLAR storm is expected to hit Earth TOMORROW as a massive “canyon-shaped” hole opened up on the surface of the sun.
A coronal hole – an opening in the sun’s upper atmosphere – has opened on the surface of the sun which is in the shape of a canyon – a long and narrow slit. The hole is unleashing a barrage of cosmic rays and unfortunately for Earth, we are in their way. There is a chance that the solar storm could hit today, but it is more likely to be tomorrow when it could cause northern lights, or aurora borealis.
As the magnetosphere gets bombarded by solar winds, stunning blue lights can appear over the upper reaches of the Northern hemisphere and the lower parts of the southern hemisphere.
Cosmic forecasting site Space Weather announced the impending solar storm, writing on the website: “A stream of solar wind is about to hit Earth's magnetic field. Estimated time of arrival: Feb. 20th or 21st.
“The gaseous material is flowing from a canyon-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere. Arctic sky watchers can expect minor geomagnetic storms and auroras mixed with bright moonlight when the fast-moving stream arrives.
While this solar storm is not dangerous, the consequences could be far more serious than the appearance of the Northern or Southern Lights.
Solar storm set to hit Earth TOMORROW after HOLE opens up in the Sun (Image: GETTY)
For the most part, the Earth’s magnetic field protects humans from the barrage of radiation, but solar storms can affect satellite-based technology.
Solar winds can heat the Earth’s outer atmosphere, causing it to expand.
This can affect satellites in orbit, potentially leading to a lack of GPS navigation, mobile phone signal and satellite TV such as Sky.
Additionally, a surge of particles can lead to high currents in the magnetosphere, which can lead to higher than normal electricity in power lines, resulting in electrical transformers and power stations blow outs and a loss of power.
The solar storm could cause northern lights (Image: GETTY)
The higher amounts of radiation also leave people vulnerable to cancer.
The Met Office has warned that we will face a monumental solar storm in the future, which could knock out Britain’s technology and cost the UK almost £16billion in damages.
The country could be blunged into a blackout because it is not prepared enough for powerful solar storms, the Met Office told ministers.
Solar storms can effect satellites (Image: GETTY)
The weather forecaster believes the UK does not have sufficient infrastructure to prepare ourselves for such an event.
A researcher from the Met Office said: “We find that for a one-in-100-year event, with no space weather forecasting capability, the gross domestic product loss to the United Kingdom could be as high as £15.9bn.
“With existing satellites nearing the end of their life, forecasting capability will decrease in coming years, so if no further investment takes place, critical infrastructure will become more vulnerable to space weather
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