The sun is a powerful star continuously releases energy through solar, wind and radiation. Occasionally, the sun experiences intense explosions, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which emit a large amount of plasma and magnetic field into space. These eruptions can have significant impacts on Earth and our technology.
Weather on earth and in space has been a hobby of mine for 25-plus years. I always had a knack. Before my brain got damaged, I could see patterns in everything, and now most of that skill is gone. But I keep bubbling along LOL. What we see in space and here on earth has those who study these patterns sitting up and taking notice.
Anyway, let me explain what CMEs, how they form, and their effects on our planet. Without being accused of being a dooms day prepper.
The sun’s diameter is 1,390,000Km versus the Earth’s diameter, which is only 12,742Km.
What are Coronal Mass Ejections?
As there is a bit of Main Stream Meda, talk about this big coronal hole that is facing the earth on, I think a bit of an explanation can be helpful.
Coronal mass ejections are massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields that originate from the sun’s corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere. They can release up to 10 billion tons of plasma into space at speeds of up to 3 million kilometres per hour. CMEs result from the sun’s magnetic activity, creating strong magnetic fields that can twist and reconnect, releasing energy.
Types of CMEs
CMEs can be classified into two types:
- slow and
- fast.
Slow CMEs typically have speeds of less than 500 kilometres per second. They are usually associated with coronal holes, areas on the sun’s surface where the magnetic field is open, allowing the solar wind to escape.
Fast CMEs, have speeds of up to 3000 kilometres per second and are often associated with solar flares, intense bursts of radiation that occur near sunspots.
How are CMEs Formed?
CMEs are formed through a process known as magnetic reconnection, where the sun’s magnetic fields interact and release energy. The sun’s magnetic field constantly changes and can become twisted and distorted, forming magnetic loops. When these loops become too stressed, they can break and release energy as CMEs.
The Role of Sunspots
Sunspots are dark, cooler areas on the sun’s surface that are associated with intense magnetic activity. They are often the source of CMEs and solar flares. Sunspots rotate around the sun, and they can interact with each other, creating even more complex magnetic fields that can lead to CMEs.
Effects of CMEs on Earth
CMEs can have significant effects on Earth and our technology. A CME colliding with Earth’s magnetic field can cause a geomagnetic storm, leading to power outages, satellite communication disruptions, and damage to electrical grids. We have seen that happen before. One of the famous ones is the Carrington Event in 1859 and the more recent one The Great Quebec Blackout.
CMEs can also cause beautiful auroras, as charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere.
Space Weather Forecasting
Due to the potential impact of CMEs on Earth, and especially because our geomagnetic “protection shield” is very weak, space weather forecasting has become increasingly important. We use a variety of instruments, including satellites and ground-based observatories, to monitor the sun’s activity and predict the occurrence and strength of CMEs.
You can see live feeds and information on the watchers.news site, I recommend having a look. It is AWESOME. For most of us, the KP-index number is sufficient. I wrote about what that means and is in this article. KP Index Warning, What Is It?