4 solar bursts may enhance auroras, impact technology, grid

Space.com May 9, 2024, 11:00 PM UTC

Summary: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center raised the geomagnetic storm watch to level G 4 due to four coronal mass ejections heading towards Earth. This rare event could impact satellite communication systems, GPS, and aurora visibility. The storm is expected to hit by May 11, potentially causing voltage control issues and disruptions to the grid. Northern U.S. states have increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

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Article metrics
Significance5.8
Scale7.0
Magnitude7.5
Potential8.5
Novelty8.0
Actionability4.0
Immediacy9.5
Positivity3.0
Credibility9.0

Timeline:

  1. [1.0]
    Northern Lights visible in northern UK tonight, May 20-21 (Manchester Evening News)
    3h
    Source
  2. [2.0]
    Met Office issues 'red alert' for Northern Lights tonight (Wales Online)
    7h
    Source
  3. [2.0]
    Northern Lights may be visible over Ireland tonight (Dublin Live)
    2d
    Source
  4. [1.2]
    Northern Lights 'red alert' for Northern Ireland viewing opportunity (Belfast Live)
    2d
    Source
  5. [1.9]
    Auroras' colors result from charged particles colliding with atmosphere (The Conversation)
    8d
    Source
  6. [2.0]
    Aurora australis no-show in Melbourne, but may return this year (Sydney Morning Herald)
    8d
    Source
  7. [2.1]
    New Northern Lights alert for Scotland, track with phone notifications (Edinburgh Live)
    8d
    Source
  8. [3.3]
    Prolonged solar storm affects Taiwan, no major disruptions reported (台北時報)
    8d
    Source
  9. [5.4]
    Extreme solar storms create stunning auroras for Mother's Day (Space.com)
    8d
    Source
  10. [3.3]
    Intense solar storms create stunning aurora display in Ladakh (News18)
    8d
    Source
  11. [1.2]
    Cloud cover hindered Northern Lights viewing in Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News)
    8d
    Source
  12. [3.8]
    Auroras seen during powerful solar storm, minimal disruptions reported (DAWN.com)
    8d
    Source
  13. [3.8]
    Solar storm creates dazzling auroras, may impact power grids (CNN)
    8d
    Source
  14. [1.7]
    Solar eruptions cause auroras on Earth due to solar particles (Mint)
    8d
    Source
  15. [3.3]
    Aurora australis visible tonight due to geomagnetic storms (ABC News)
    9d
    Source
  16. [2.1]
    Northern Lights visible in US, best in north and east (RTE.ie)
    9d
    Source
  17. [1.6]
    Local astronomers excited for rare second night of northern lights (KCTV 5)
    9d
    Source
  18. [1.9]
    Aurora australis dazzles stargazers in southern Australia (Sydney Morning Herald)
    9d
    Source
  19. [2.8]
    Chance to see Northern Lights tonight after rare aurora borealis (Mint)
    9d
    Source
  20. [3.1]
    Solar storm causes rare aurora displays in Latin America (The Straits Times)
    9d
    Source
  21. [1.7]
    Rare Northern Lights visible in Kentucky and Indiana due to solar storm (WLKY Louisville)
    9d
    Source
  22. [4.3]
    Global light show from solar storm, minor disruptions reported (The Associated Press)
    9d
    Source
  23. [3.3]
    Northern lights in Ontario may continue beyond Saturday (CTV News Toronto)
    9d
    Source
  24. [4.6]
    Massive solar flares trigger radio blackout, potential impacts analyzed (Space.com)
    9d
    Source
  25. [1.9]
    Northern Lights dazzle Vancouver Island after strong solar storm (CHEK News)
    9d
    Source
  26. [2.6]
    Northern lights may be visible in Toronto tonight (CP24)
    9d
    Source
  27. [5.9]
    Solar storm disrupts global systems, Hong Kong misses auroras (South China Morning Post)
    9d

  28. [3.8]
    Rare solar storm creates stunning global auroras, may disrupt communications (CNN)
    9d
    Source
  29. [4.9]
    NASA detects powerful solar flares, Earth faces solar storm (India Today)
    9d
    Source
  30. [2.5]
    Northern Lights visible worldwide due to strong geomagnetic storm (Castanet.net)
    9d
    Source
  31. [3.5]
    Yellow thunderstorm warning for western Scotland, travel disruptions expected (STV News)
    9d
    Source
  32. [5.0]
    Strong solar storm causes stunning auroras, potential disruptions (RTE.ie)
    9d
    Source
  33. [2.9]
    Solar storm creates stunning aurora in Ladakh's Hanle, India (Hindustan Times)
    9d
    Source
  34. [3.9]
    Solar storm creates stunning Northern Lights in UK and Europe (The Independent)
    9d
    Source
  35. [4.7]
    Strongest solar storm in 20 years creates stunning auroras (Business Recorder)
    9d
    Source
  36. [1.8]
    Northern Lights illuminate Coventry due to geomagnetic storm (Coventry Live)
    9d
    Source
  37. [1.9]
    Aurora Australis visible across Western Australia (PerthNow)
    10d
    Source
  38. [3.6]
    Northern lights seen across UK, Europe, and hemisphere (The Guardian)
    10d
    Source
  39. [5.1]
    No risk to astronauts on ISS during solar storm (CNN)
    10d
    Source
  40. [3.9]
    Global auroras from geomagnetic storm awe spectators after 20 years (ABC News)
    10d
    Source
  41. [1.6]
    Aurora Australis lights up South Australian skies in geomagnetic storm (Glam Adelaide)
    10d
    Source
  42. [4.2]
    Monster sunspot AR3664 grows, may impact Earth's auroras (Space.com)
    10d
    Source
  43. [4.9]
    Strong solar storm could produce northern lights in Canada (CP24)
    10d
    Source
  44. [4.7]
    Solar storm may bring northern lights to US, power disruptions (The Associated Press)
    10d
    Source
  45. [3.9]
    Northern Lights possible in UK due to solar storm (The Guardian)
    10d
    Source
  46. [4.5]
    Severe G4 geomagnetic storm forecasted for northern US on Friday (Business Insider)
    10d
    Source
  47. [3.5]
    Historic solar storm could cause widespread disruptions tonight (Daily Mail)
    10d
    Source
  48. [5.6]
    Severe solar storm to hit Earth, expect power outages (Hindustan Times)
    10d

  49. [5.0]
    Solar storms may create auroras and disrupt communications on Earth (CNN)
    10d
    Source
  50. [5.0]
    Severe geomagnetic storm expected today, first in 20 years (Gizmodo)
    10d
    Source
  51. [5.3]
    Severe solar storm threatens power grids and navigation systems (The Straits Times)
    10d
    Source
  52. [3.3]
    Severe solar storm to bring Northern Lights to UK (The Independent)
    10d
    Source
  53. [1.9]
    Taiwan expects limited disruptions from severe solar storm (Focus Taiwan)
    10d
    Source
  54. [5.0]
    Powerful solar storm approaching Earth, may disrupt technology and health (Mint)
    10d
    Source
  55. [4.4]
    Severe geomagnetic storm watch issued by US NOAA (News18)
    10d
    Source
  56. [5.3]
    BOM warns of severe geomagnetic storm hitting Earth (ABC News)
    10d
    Source
  57. [5.0]
    US issues warning of severe solar storm, potential disruptions (RTE.ie)
    10d
    Source
  58. [4.7]
    Earth faces severe geomagnetic storms from five solar eruptions (India Today)
    10d
    Source
  59. [5.1]
    Severe solar storm expected on May 10, triggering auroras (Mint)
    11d
    Source
  60. [5.4]
    "Severe geomagnetic storm watch issued after 20 years." (NBC Chicago)
    11d
    Source
  61. [5.4]
    Severe geomagnetic storm may spark widespread auroras over Canada (The Weather Network)
    11d
    Source
  62. [4.1]
    Massive sunspot triggers powerful X-class flare, causing radio blackouts (Livescience.com)
    11d
    Source
  63. [4.2]
    Sunspot AR3664 erupts with colossal X-class solar flare (Space.com)
    11d
    Source
  64. [3.8]
    Massive sunspot releases three CMEs towards Earth (Republic World)
    11d
    Source
  65. [5.2]
    Earth faces geomagnetic storms from Sun's eruptions (India Today)
    11d
    Source
  66. [4.9]
    Giant sunspot AR3664 threatens Earth with colossal solar eruptions (India Today)
    11d
    Source
  67. [1.3]
    Aurora alert issued for Australians due to geomagnetic storm (Glam Adelaide)
    12d
    Source
  68. [2.9]
    China predicts strong solar flares, minimal impact on Earth (Xinhua)
    12d
    Source
  69. [3.5]
    Solar flares causing radio blackouts, potential geomagnetic storm tomorrow (ScienceAlert)
    14d
    Source
  70. [3.2]
    Chinese satellite detects over 100 solar white-light flares (China Daily)
    15d
    Source
  71. [3.9]
    Sun emits X1.6 solar flare, causing radio blackout (News9 LIVE)
    16d
    Source
  72. [3.2]
    Colossal solar flares hit Earth, causing radio blackouts (Space.com)
    17d
    Source
  73. [3.1]
    Record-breaking 'global auroras' on Mars due to solar activity (Livescience.com)
    19d
    Source
  74. [3.4]
    M-Class Solar Flare Causes Radio Blackout Over Pacific Ocean (Times Now)
    19d
    Source
  75. [4.4]
    Rare solar flares erupted, hinting at solar cycle peak (7NEWS)
    25d
    Source
  76. [4.7]
    Rare simultaneous solar flares on April 23, 2024 (The Indian Express)
    26d
    Source
  77. [1.9]
    Four simultaneous solar flares erupted, showcasing sun's power (Business Insider)
    26d
    Source
  78. [4.1]
    Rare "super-sympathetic" solar flare erupts from four points (Livescience.com)
    27d
    Source
  79. [5.2]
    Four solar flares erupted simultaneously on April 23 (Space.com)
    27d
    Source
  80. [2.5]
    Coronal mass ejections cause geomagnetic storming on Earth (News9 LIVE)
    27d
    Source
  81. [5.0]
    Rare "super-sympathetic" solar flares observed by NASA. Potential CME impact (Times Now)
    27d
    Source
  82. [3.5]
    Solar event threatens Earth with potential impacts on technology (Times Now)
    28d
    Source