The National Space Weather Monitoring and Warning Center issued a red warning for geomagnetic storms at 09:00 on the 11th: geomagnetic storms will occur from 23:00 on May 10, 2024, Beijing time, and the maximum level will reach the level of ultra-geomagnetic storms (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 was red, and the various aurora columns were clearly visible to the naked eye. 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?
A geomagnetic storm is a typical type of solar eruptive activity. When the Sun erupts, coronal mass ejections occur, and a single ejection can throw hundreds of millions of tons of solar material off the surface of the Sun at high speeds of hundreds to thousands of meters per second. These substances not only contain the kinetic energy of the massive mass and velocity, but also carry the powerful magnetic energy of the sun. Once they hit the Earth, they trigger a change in the direction and magnitude of the geomagnetic field, known as a geomagnetic storm.
How is the intensity of a geomagnetic storm divided?
The intensity of geomagnetic storms is mainly classified according to a specific geomagnetic index. These indices reflect the intensity of geomagnetic activity, which helps us understand the intensity level of geomagnetic storms.
Specifically, commonly used geomagnetic indices include the Dst index and the Kp index. The DST index, or Geomagnetic Disturbance Index, is an important indicator for measuring space weather conditions, which reflects the intensity of geomagnetic storms by measuring changes in the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field. The Kp index, or Global Magnetic Field Index, reflects the Earth's magnetic field activity every three hours, and the higher the value, the stronger the corresponding geomagnetic activity.
According to the change of the Dst index, the intensity of geomagnetic storms can be divided into five levels: small magnetic storms, medium magnetic storms, large magnetic storms, very large magnetic storms, and very large magnetic storms.
At the same time, the Kp index is also used to classify the intensity of geomagnetic storms. According to the change of the Kp index, the geomagnetic activity can be divided into different grades such as calm, uncalm, active, small, large, and intense.
What are the effects of geomagnetic storms on the Earth?
Geomagnetic storms have an impact on both human society and the natural environment. For example, it can cause power system disruption or equipment damage, causing additional radiation effects on spacecraft and posing a threat to the safety of astronauts.
At the same time, geomagnetic storms can also affect electromagnetic components in electronic products and communication equipment, which can lead to problems such as communication interruptions and navigation failures. In addition, geomagnetic storms can also have an impact on the operation of satellites and space stations, as they require a stable Earth's magnetic field environment to function properly.
In terms of climate and ecosystems, geomagnetic storms cause changes in the Earth's magnetic field, which in turn affects climate patterns in the atmosphere. For example, it may trigger the appearance of auroras, a drop in temperature at high latitudes, changes in atmospheric circulation, etc. These climate changes may have an impact on ecosystems, such as bird migration, plant growth, etc., and even on marine ecosystems, such as triggering changes in seafloor currents, affecting the reproduction and growth of marine organisms.
In addition, geomagnetic storms can have a negative impact on human health. It may cause nervous system disorders in the human body, cardiovascular system diseases, etc., such as triggering insomnia, headaches, mood swings, etc.
How can we respond?
Since geomagnetic storms have certain impacts on the earth's space environment, communications, natural ecology and human body, we need to know and pay attention to the following aspects during geomagnetic storms:
The first thing to do is to minimize outdoor activities, especially avoid traveling in bad weather. Geomagnetic storms can trigger a series of electromagnetic phenomena that can have a certain impact on human health, so it is relatively safe to stay indoors.
Second, turn off unnecessary electronic devices, especially high-power appliances, to avoid damage to the equipment or start a fire. Geomagnetic storms can cause interference or damage to power systems and communications equipment, so reducing the use of these devices can reduce the potential risk.
Third, special protective measures are required for important equipment and infrastructure, such as power systems, communication systems, etc. This includes regularly checking the operational status of the device, ensuring the proper functioning of the device, and backing up important data in case of data loss.
In addition, geomagnetic storms can interfere with navigation systems, resulting in inaccurate positioning or signal disruption. Therefore, when driving or doing other activities that require navigation, you should minimize your reliance on navigation systems such as GPS, and have maps on hand as an alternative.
Finally, it is also very important to be in good physical condition. During a geomagnetic storm, we can take some measures to mitigate the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the body, such as wearing protective equipment such as radiation glasses and radiation protection phone cases, reducing the use of electronic devices for long periods of time, keeping a distance as much as possible, and reducing exposure.
Source: National Early Warning Release, CCTV News Client, China Meteorological Administration, People's Daily Online