Powerful solar storm hits Earth, could disrupt communication and power grids
Washington DC: A powerful solar storm, the most potent in over two decades, has struck Earth, triggering stunning celestial displays from Tasmania to Britain and raising concerns about potential disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend.
The event, characterised by several coronal mass ejections (CMEs), began shortly after 1600 GMT, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center.
Upgraded to an "extreme" geomagnetic storm, this marks the first such event since the "Halloween Storms" of October 2003, which caused blackouts in Sweden and damaged power infrastructure in South Africa. Additional CMEs are anticipated to impact the planet in the days ahead.
Social media platforms buzzed with users sharing images of auroras observed in northern Europe and Australasia.
"We've just woken the kids to go watch the Northern Lights in the back garden! Clearly visible with the naked eye," shared Iain Mansfield, a think tanker in Hertford, Britain.
Photographer Sean O' Riordan captured the phenomenon in Tasmania, posting, "Absolutely biblical skies in Tasmania at 4 am this morning. I'm leaving today and knew I could not pass up this opportunity."
Authorities have alerted satellite operators, airlines, and the power grid to take precautionary measures against potential disruptions due to fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field.
Unlike solar flares, which travel at the speed of light, CMEs move at a slower pace, averaging 800 kilometres (500 miles) per second. These eruptions originated from a massive sunspot cluster approximately 17 times wider than Earth, coinciding with the Sun's nearing peak activity within its 11-year cycle.
Professor Mathew Owens, specialising in space physics at the University of Reading, said that while the effects will primarily impact the planet's northern and southern latitudes, the extent of the impact will hinge on the storm's final intensity.
"Go outside tonight and look, would be my advice because if you see the aurora, it's quite a spectacular thing," Owens added, recommending the use of eclipse glasses for daytime observation of the sunspot cluster.
In the United States, areas such as Northern California and Alabama may witness the effects, according to officials.
NOAA's Brent Gordon encouraged the public to attempt capturing images of the night sky with phone cameras, even if auroras are not visible to the naked eye.
Concerns extend beyond disruptions to communication and power infrastructure. Fluctuating magnetic fields can induce currents in long wires, including power lines, potentially causing blackouts. Moreover, spacecraft are at risk of radiation exposure, though Earth's atmosphere provides protection. Additionally, biological compasses in species like pigeons could be affected.
The Carrington Event of September 1859, the most powerful geomagnetic storm on record, caused widespread disruption to telegraph systems due to excess currents, highlighting the potential risks associated with such solar phenomena.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
