solar flare Let's take a look at how it may impact Earth: Due to the CME, a cloud of charged particles will pass by the Earth and may even affect satellite and communication systems. While a strong solar flare increases the chance of a spectacular light show, the electromagnetic pulse can also disrupt power grids and radio traffic when it passes the Earth. Some industries that are usually affected by solar flares include electrical power grid companies, airlines, GPS, military and ocean shipping routes. This radiation storm did not squarely blow to Earth, but it should deliver "a glancing blow" to Earth's magnetic field during the June 9th.
The strongest solar storm on record is called the "Carrington Event", which is named after Richard Carrington who viewed and reported on the solar flare of September 1st. It occurred in late August and early September of 1859. From August 28th through September 4th, aurorae of unusual brilliance were observed throughout the globe. If a Carrington-type flare hit today, then a large fraction of the satellites in orbit may be permanently damaged, leading to a communications blackout and potential chaos. Auroras Meanwhile, The Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks predicts higher auroral activity for Thursday. The auroras would be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Igaluit to Juneau, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Sept-Iles. The visibility might be low on the horizon from Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and Halifax.
For the Northern Hemisphere, the aurora should be visible mainly in North America, since the sun is illuminating most of the auroral zone in Russia and Scandinavia. If the timing is right, the disturbance will lead to auroras visible from the Northern US on Wednesday night, the institute predicted. For Friday, the institute expects moderate auroral activity that would be visible overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin, and Igaluit to as far south as Whitehorse, Ft. McMurray, James Bay. The visibility might be low on the horizon as far south as Prince Rupert, Calgary, Minot, Bemidji, Stevens Point, Traverse City and Quebec City, Canada.
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