Bird-Wing Solar Event
The “Bird-Wing” event is solar eruption observed recently by NASA satellites. This visually striking phenomenon featured plasma shaped like wings, ejected from the Sun’s northern hemisphere. The plasma stream extended over one million kilometres, more than twice the distance from Earth to the Moon. Astronomers have warned that this event could impact Earth, causing potential disruptions.
Features of the Bird-Wing Event
The Bird-Wing event involved both a solar flare and a coronal mass ejection (CME). Solar flares are intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation caused by the reconnection of magnetic field lines on the Sun. CMEs are explosive outflows of charged solar plasma. This particular eruption has already resulted in radio blackouts across parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
About Solar Flares
Solar flares occur due to intense magnetic activity on the Sun. When magnetic field lines become stressed, they can snap and realign. This process releases massive amounts of energy. Solar flares travel at the speed of light, while CMEs travel at speeds between 250 km/s and 3000 km/s. CMEs take 1 to 3 days to reach Earth.
Impact on Earth
The Bird-Wing event may lead to geomagnetic storms on Earth. These storms can disrupt satellite operations, GPS systems, radio communications, and power grids. Enhanced auroras, or Northern and Southern Lights, may also be visible at lower latitudes. Space weather agencies remain on high alert for further disruptions.
Space Weather Alerts
In response to the Bird-Wing event, space weather agencies have issued alerts. These alerts inform the public and relevant sectors about possible impacts on technology and infrastructure. Monitoring continues to assess the extent of the event’s influence on Earth.
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