A Crack Has Opened In Earth’s Magnetic Field - Geomagnetic Storms Are Underway

A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is underway on June 7th following the unexpected impact of a CME. The transient struck Earth’s magnetic field at approximately 11:30 UTC, opening a crack in Earth’s magnetosphere and briefly spiking geomagnetic storm levels to category G2. Solar wind speed is currently above 500 km/s. Auroral displays will be visible at high latitudes when is dark outside. The reason for the storm is a crack that has opened in Earth’s magnetic field, allowing solar wind to enter the magnetosphere. Immense cracks sometimes develop in Earth’s magnetosphere and remain open for hours. Solar wind can pour through the gaps to fuel bright displays of Arctic lights. Our magnetic shield takes the brunt of space storms, but some energy slips through its cracks sometimes enough to cause problems with satellites, radio communication, and power systems. The solar wind is a fast-moving stream of electrically charged particles (electrons and ions) blown constantly from the Sun. The wind can get gusty during violent events, like coronal mass ejections (CMEs) which can shoot a billion tons of electrified gas into space at millions miles per hour. Stay Tuned! #solarstorm #solarwind #aurora Images credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, nemesis maturity channel Music credit: YouTube Audio Library Kurt - Cheel