A solar storm, also known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), is a large release of plasma and magnetic field from the sun’s corona. These storms/winds are associated with magnetic activity on the sun and can produce a significant amount of energy that can impact the Earth’s magnetic field.

Solar winds are streams of charged particles that are constantly flowing out from the sun into the solar system. They are caused by the sun’s hot, ionized plasma. Solar winds can carry magnetic fields and charged particles that can impact the Earth’s magnetic field and cause geomagnetic storms.

Solar storms and solar winds can have a variety of effects on the Earth, including the following:

1. Aurora: When solar particles enter the Earth’s magnetic field, they can cause the Northern and Southern Lights, also known as aurora.
2. Power outages: Solar storms can cause power outages by inducing electrical currents in power lines and other electrical infrastructure.
3. Satellite and communication disruptions: Solar storms can disrupt communication satellites and cause GPS navigation errors.
4. Radiation hazards for astronauts: Solar storms can increase the level of radiation in space, creating a hazard for astronauts and other personnel in space.
5. Fires: Many TV towers or electrical stations will burst into flames, so stay away from electrical appliances once a solar storm happens.

Solar storms and solar winds are monitored by a variety of spacecraft and ground-based observatories, and scientists are continuing to study these phenomena to understand their impact on the Earth and the rest of the solar system.

Here’s a diagram of how solar winds hit Earth:

That’s all for today everyone. See you next time!