Earth on alert as solar storm set to hit this week; may disrupt GPS, communications
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Washington: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists have issued alerts for powerful solar and geomagnetic storms, which are expected to hit Earth this week. The storms are expected to cause auroras across parts of the United States, Canada and Europe. They might potentially cause temporary disruptions in communications and satellite systems.
The alerts were issued on Tuesday that stated several strong coronal mass ejections (CMEs), massive bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields, have been observed over the past few days. The agency issued a “G4” geomagnetic storm watch, the second-highest level on a five-point scale, after detecting stronger-than-expected solar activity.
Shawn Dahl, a scientist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, said two CMEs that erupted on November 9 and 10 had already reached Earth and were “profoundly stronger” than anticipated. A third, faster-moving CME that erupted on November 11 is expected to strike the planet by Wednesday afternoon (Eastern Time), he said.
The storms have already caused temporary radio blackouts across parts of Africa and Europe, according to Space.com.
The ongoing activity is linked to the solar maximum which is the peak of an 11-year solar cycle with intense magnetic activity and the current cycle is expected to last through the end of 2025, according to NOAA.
In May 2024, Earth experienced its strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades, across the US, the UK and parts of Europe.
This week, aurora sightings have already been reported or are expected over several US states including Illinois, Colorado, Washington, California, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, North Dakota, New York and North Carolina. Similar displays are anticipated in Canada, Ireland and northern parts of the UK, weather agencies said.
NOAA has warned that there will be temporary disruptions in GPS, radio communication and satellite operations could occur. Power grid operators and air traffic authorities have been alerted. Planned space launch may also be postponed as a precaution.
The NOAA said the auroras’ brightness and visibility depend on local light conditions and the timing of solar particles entering Earth’s atmosphere, advising skywatchers to move away from brightly lit areas for the best view.
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"He was forced to take them": Warne's son says COVID vaccines caused legend's death
Sydney, Apr 13 (PTI): Four years after Shane Warne's death left the cricketing world in shock, his son Jackson has asserted that the spin legend's demise was probably caused by the "three or four" COVID vaccines that he was "forced to take for work."
Speaking on '2 Worlds Collide podcast', Jackson, however, also acknowledged that his father had underlying health issues. Warne was 52 when he died in Thailand in 2022 after suffering a heart attack.
"I definitely think that it (COVID vaccine) was involved. I don't even think saying that is controversial anymore. Even if dad had underlying health issues, I think this brought it out right to the surface and that's one thing that I've always struggled with," Jackson said.
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"My first impression, as soon as I hung up the phone (after receiving the news of Warne's death), I instantly blamed the government. I instantly blamed COVID and the vaccine."
Jackson said he barely managed to stop himself from vocalising his exact thoughts at the memorial service.
"It was probably smart I didn't, I would be in a very different position if I did. But that was how I felt," Jackson said.
"Yes, a lot of people were dying of heart attacks before. But dad was okay, I think he might have got three or four (vaccine doses), he didn't want to get them, he was forced to get them for work. He was forced to get them like everybody else," he asserted.
"...I try not to think about it too much because all that does is fester into anger. That anger is not good for anybody," he added.
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Giving an insight into the lifestyle of his father, who was known to be indulgent, Jackson said it was relatively healthy despite the smoking and drinking.
"Dad, at the time, was healthy, he was happy. He looked the best he had in a while. Yes, he smoked and drank, but so many more people in their 80s and 90s still smoke and drink a lot more than dad," he said.
Warne had contracted COVID a few months before his death during his 2021 coaching stint with The Hundred event in England.
However, he was not known to have any major ailment at the time of his stunning demise.
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