Summary
Scientists have alerted people about upcoming solar storms that will affect Earth this week. These storms will create northern lights visible in parts of the United States, Canada, and Europe and might also interrupt some communications. The storms are caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, and a strong storm is expected to impact Earth on Wednesday.
Key Facts
- Solar storms are expected to affect Earth, producing visible auroras in parts of the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
- The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded significant geomagnetic disturbances in recent days.
- The disturbances are due to "coronal mass ejections" (CMEs), which are bursts of energy from the sun.
- NOAA issued a "G4" geomagnetic storm warning, indicating severe storms are likely.
- Some northern lights have already been observed in several U.S. states.
- Solar storms occur when storms on the sun disturb Earth's magnetic field.
- Geomagnetic storms can cause disruptions in communication systems.
- A strong CME is predicted to impact Earth around midday Wednesday, Eastern Time.
