![]() The structure expands at a speed of 80 km/s but the whole structure does not move at this speed. As it reaches its full development it bends back on itself and acquires the distorted S-shape characteristic of a magnetic switchback. ![]() The bright structure forms while propagating outwards from the Sun. The sequence represents around 33 minutes of data taken on March 25, 2022. Moreover, the global perspective provided by the Solar Orbiter data indicates that these rapidly changing magnetic fields can have their origin near the surface of the Sun.Ī close-up view of the Solar Orbiter Metis data turned into a movie shows the evolution of the switchback. The new observation provides a full view of the structure, confirming it has an S-shaped character, as predicted. Solar Orbiter has made the first-ever remote sensing observation consistent with a magnetic phenomenon called a solar switchback – sudden and large deflections of the solar wind’s magnetic field. The discovery points toward how their physical formation mechanism might help accelerate the solar wind. With fresh data from its closest pass of the Sun thus far, the ESA/ NASA Solar Orbiter spacecraft has found compelling clues as to the origin of solar magnetic switchbacks. Credit: ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI & Metis Teams and D. The switchback appears to be linked to the active region seen in the central Extreme Ultraviolet Imager image (right). ![]() The image zooms in on the switchback (blue/white feature extending towards the left) as captured in the solar corona by the Metis instrument on March 25, 2022. However, during stronger geomagnetic storms, the electrons hit the atmosphere further inwards from the poles, meaning that in events like the forecasted storm, the northern lights may be seen at lower latitudes than normal.Īstrophotographer Sebastian Voltmer tweeted that this storm could cause strong aurora shows and be seen further south than usual.A magnetic phenomenon known as solar switchbacks has been imaged by the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter spacecraft for the first time. As they collide, the electrons pass their energy to the atmospheric atoms, exciting them to a higher energy state.Īs the atoms drop back down to lower energy, they release their excess energy in the form of the blue and green lights seen in the skies. The electrons in the solar winds accelerate towards the poles, where the field is weaker, and collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms and molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere, around 50 to 300 miles above the Earth, at high speeds. The displays are caused when electrons from solar winds hit the Earth's magnetosphere, which protects Earth from charged particles from space. There is at least one beautiful result of solar storms: G1 storms also result in aurora displays across the night sky. Stock image of an illustration of a solar flare. ![]() G2-level (possibly G3) conditions may occur if the magnetic field of this storm is oriented southward!" she tweeted.Ī geomagnetic solar storm is forecasted for July 20 to July 22 due to slow moving solar winds. "The magnetic orientation of this Earth-directed #solarstorm is going to be tough to predict. Tamitha Skov, it might end up being more powerful. However, according to a tweet from space weather researcher Dr. It is the weakest form of solar storm on the scale, which ranges between G1 and G5. On July 19, parts of North America got the chance to see the northern lights in lower latitudes than usual thanks to a solar storm and now another solar storm is due to hit Earth on July 20.Īccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), solar winds caused by two recently observed holes in the Sun's corona will arrive between July 20-22, resulting in a G1 geomagnetic storm.Ī G1 geomagnetic storm is caused by solar winds hitting the Earth's magnetic field and may result in power grid fluctuations, interruptions to satellite operations and the storm could also cause changes to the behavior of migratory animals.
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