↑ What are Solar Storms?
How they induce Geomagnetic Storms?

By Doron Tal, 4X4XM

Solar storms are disturbances on the sun driven by the solar magnetic field. The helical dynamo in the sun's core and a chaotic dynamo near the surface cause these distarbances.

Typical phenomena: The solar storms are associated with X-ray radiation (solar flares), or ejected materials, commonly referred to as "solar wind," and the larger "coronal mass ejection" (CME) that are released into space.

Result on Earth: The solar storms induce geomagnetic storms around Earth, which are disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere.

Effect on human technology: Geomagnetic storms aren't dangerous for humans on the ground. However, they can cause disruptions to our technology. Geomagnetic storms can potentially affect satellites, power grids, and communication systems.

Monitoring HF bands: The impacts of geomagnetic storms can be observed on large-scale amateur radio networks such as the Reverse Beacon Network, WSPRnet, and PSKReporter.

Solar storms begin with solar flares:


A Solar Flare courtesy of NOAA, May 2023
followed by "coronal mass ejections" (CMEs), which are hugh amounts of matter — energetic charged particles:
Solar flares are X-Ray flashes. This radiation travels at the speed of light, reaching Earth in about eight minutes and twenty seconds.
The ejected matter however may arrive to Earth after more than 24 hours.

What causes geomagnetic storms?

Solar magnetic storms induce geomagnetic storms. The sun's magnetic field undergoes a periodic reversal, flipping its polarity in an approximately 11-year cycle. This process is associated with various solar phenomena, such as sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections (CME).

A CME is a shock-wave of highly charged particles emitted by the sun.

When a CME enters the magnetosphere, it causes a Geomagnetic Storm

Major magnetic storms may block HF propagation (3–30 MHz) by modifying the distribution of free-electrons in the ionosphere.

Solar storms can affect technology like satellites, GPS systems, and radio communications, causing disruptions like GPS navigation in 2017 and a nine-hour blackout in Quebec in 1989. Although not directly threatening humans, their impact on technology and infrastructure is significant.

    References:
  1. May 2024 Solar Storms Wikipedia
  2. Geomagnetic Storms May 2024 Duckduckgo
The project "Understanding HF Propagation" provides a detailed overview and tutorials on HF propagation.
If no flags are displayed, it means that the s01.flagcounter.com server is down!