Solar activity has intensified recently
National Space Weather Monitoring and Warning Center
A red alert for geomagnetic storms has been issued
Maximum magnitude to a very geomagnetic storm (Kp=9)
A red warning for geomagnetic storms has been issued
Xinjiang and other places have seen the most beautiful auroras
The National Space Weather Monitoring and Warning Center at 9 a.m. on May 11: A geomagnetic storm will occur from 23 a.m. Beijing time on May 10, 2024, with the maximum level reaching the level of ultra-geomagnetic storm (Kp=9), and it is expected that the magnetic storm process will continue in the next 24 hours, and geomagnetic storms may still occur in the future.
Under the influence of geomagnetic storms, the ionosphere will be disturbed in most parts of the continent, and shortwave communication and navigation and positioning will be affected to varying degrees. A significant increase in the density of the upper atmosphere will lead to an increase in the orbital attenuation of low-orbit satellites. The National Space Weather Monitoring and Warning Center will closely track the development of the event and release forecast and early warning information in a timely manner.
Under the combined action of the Earth's magnetic field and the atmosphere
An aurora feast is on schedule
Mohe in Heilongjiang and parts of Xinjiang in mainland China
Brilliant aurora borealis appeared in all of them
In the early morning of May 11, Altay, Xinjiang. Photographer Jeff's journey to the stars captured the aurora activity, the entire northern sky is red, and the naked eye can clearly see the various aurora columns constantly changing. In addition to red, the rare green aurora and purple aurora also appeared. Photographer Jeff said: "The scene was really fantastic! ”
on social media
Netizens around the world are sharing the aurora they saw
It is understood
There may also be aurora tonight and tomorrow night
Friends in high latitudes can squat
What is a geomagnetic storm?
As the most typical solar eruption activity, a coronal mass ejection process can throw hundreds of millions of tons of solar material off the surface of the sun at a high speed of hundreds of kilometers per second, not only the kinetic energy of the huge mass and velocity convergence, but also the powerful magnetic field energy of the sun, once it hits the earth, it will cause a change in the direction and magnitude of the geomagnetic field, that is, a geomagnetic storm.
With the gradual intensification of magnetic storm activity, the Earth's upper atmosphere is continuously heated, and then expands and spreads into higher space, which creates additional drag for the spacecraft to fly in orbit, produces a drag-like deceleration effect, and reduces the orbital altitude of the spacecraft, and the reduction of altitude corresponds to a denser atmospheric environment, which will further bring greater flight resistance, so as to form a vicious circle of flight speed slowing down - altitude reduction - greater drag - further deceleration - faster altitude reduction, It poses a great threat to the safety of spacecraft.
Triggering insomnia and panic?
Expert answers
The National Space Weather Monitoring and Warning Center also said that the impact of geomagnetic storms on organisms is mainly focused on those organisms that rely on geomagnetic navigation, such as carrier pigeons; The impact on the human body is negligible and will not affect the health of the body. The previous online rumors of "geomagnetic storms cause insomnia, sleepiness, panic, and irritability" are all rumors or jokes about geomagnetic storms, which are not scientific.
Since it doesn't affect life, why issue an early warning? This is because the electromagnetic waves emitted by flares affect the Earth's upper atmosphere, which has a significant impact on short-wave communications that require ionospheric reflection propagation. When a large flare occurs, shortwave communication may be interrupted for a period of time.
Instability in the upper atmosphere may also affect the operation of low-orbit satellites. In addition, flares are sometimes accompanied by coronal mass ejections, known as solar storms, which, if swept across the Earth, can affect the stability of power grids at high latitudes. Early warning of high-energy flares, geomagnetic storms, etc., helps to remind professionals to respond in advance.
Early warning of flares and geomagnetic storms is good for astronomy enthusiasts and travel enthusiasts: when high-energy flares and geomagnetic storms occur, it is more likely to see brilliant aurora in the higher magnetic latitudes around the magnetic poles.
Wang Jinsong, director of the National Space Weather Monitoring and Early Warning Center, said at a press conference held by the China Meteorological Administration that monitoring shows that the current round of solar activity week has entered the peak stage. According to the latest research, the peak of this round of solar activity week is expected to arrive from 2024 to 2025, and it is currently near the peak.
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In the comment area, "the style of painting has changed abruptly", and many netizens said that this was "the reason why I can't wake up"
"Is this also the reason for the greed...... It's almost going to be played bad↓↓↓
Sources: @国家预警发布, China Meteorology, @新疆日报, @Jeff's Starry Sky Journey, @国家空间天气监测预警中心, Shangguan News, Southern Metropolis Daily, News Morning Post, Netizen Comments, etc
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