Solar Radiation Storm: A rare S4 solar radiation storm lit up skies worldwide, disrupted GPS signals and highlighted growing risks to satellites and global infrastructure.
Auroras glow over northern skies as charged solar particles strike Earth during the strongest radiation storm in over 20 years (Photo: File)
Solar Radiation Storm: A powerful stream of solar energy recently dumped into the Earth, lighting up the skies with brilliant auroras and causing short-lived hiccups for some satellite operations. Scientists are describing it as a rare, intense radiation storm in space, highlighting again the way solar activity can directly interfere with our technology, air travel and communications on this planet.
A solar radiation storm occurs when the Sun expels a stream of high-energy, electrically charged particles mainly protons and electrons during flares or coronal mass ejections. Those particles can zip through space at nearly the speed of light and can reach Earth within hours. Scientists classify the storm on an S-scale, ranging from S1 to S5. This week's storm reached S4, a level not seen since the famous Halloween solar storms of 2003. According to space weather agencies, this level of strong storms is relatively uncommon and often coincides with peaks in the Sun's 11-year cycle of activity.
Solar storms affect our planet’s magnetosphere. They affect communication and satellite signals. Intense solar storms can destroy power grids. In the year 2003, Sweden experienced blackouts due to solar storms. In South Africa, the solar storm resulted in damage to the transformers. Today, we have better protection against solar storms. However, our protection isn’t perfect. Solar storms containing high-energy particles should prompt astronauts on the International Space Station to seek protection.
The biggest solar outburst in two decades has just happened-the Sun has blasted out an intense solar radiation storm, hurling high-energy charged particles towards Earth. It has loosed spectacular auroras, disrupted GPS, and taken the risk to satellites.
Space weather usually claims the headlines only with a geomagnetic storm. This storm could not be ignored due to the high levels of radiation. For the first time in more than two decades, there have been such high levels of radiation. The early warnings came through the space weather monitors. Subsequently, auroras appeared soon after. These auroras lit up the skies over northern Europe. In fact, the auroras even reached the United States. In certain areas, the GPS signals stopped functioning. As a result, the aircraft on the route passed over the poles.
Airplanes flying through the polar regions are particularly exposed to radiation storms. Therefore, to limit the levels of radiation, as well as ensure communication continuity, it will be essential to reroute or adjust flight altitudes. Satellites are exposed to varying levels of risk, which range from signal interruptions to harm to satellite components. For instance, industries such as precision farming, which rely on the use of GPS during the radiation storm, experienced interruptions, as happened during the geomagnetic storm in 2024. This week's storm once again demonstrated the dependency of space weather on economic life.
Nevertheless, despite the strength of the storm, life was scarcely affected. Experts declare it to be preparation rather than luck. According to them, better tools to foresee such occurrences, combined with cooperation internationally, allow us to limit the damage caused by space weather events.
The Sun itself is now reaching the pinnacle of its present activity cycle, which means that in future years, more intense and frequent solar activity can be expected. Experts caution that, although most of these storm events are or will remain under control, extremes remain very much possible. Speaking of which, space weather got us talking this past week, but not exactly in terms of disaster, but rather with regard to how it made it all visible. In fact, it did so as a warning before things got critical, but far too often, that’s exactly what matters.
Operators who maintain critical infrastructures have specific procedures to follow in case of geomagnetic storms. This includes adjusting satellites to safe orbits and reducing the voltage in electricity grids to help prevent current surges. At such times, when solar activity is high, any personnel present in the ISS can take shelter in any designated area. With early warning systems, airlines, satellites and electricity providers have measures to take to minimize further damage.
