A geomagnetic storm will reach Earth between this Friday (the 6th) and Sunday (the 8th), according to data from the United States National Weather Service.
The phenomenon, popularly known as a solar storm, can cause minimal interference with satellites, communications systems, and mobile networks, especially in higher-latitude regions. There is an expectation that there will be no perceptible interference with services in Brazil.
The phenomenon originates from the coronal hole, a region of the Sun’s atmosphere where the magnetic configuration facilitates the outward flow of particles.
These particles are carried by a stream of high-speed solar wind, which travels through space and can reach Earth. Upon reaching the Earth’s environment, the particles interact, at different levels, with the planet’s magnetic field, triggering the so-called geomagnetic storm.
The bulletin issued by the United States classifies the occurrence as Level G1, considered low. There is a possibility that solar storms could evolve to Level G2, considered moderate interference.
Disruptions to communication systems are more likely to occur between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday. The intensity of the interference depends on factors such as the speed of the solar wind and the orientation of the magnetic field carried by the particles.
Despite the possible impacts, the storm forecast for this week does not pose a danger to people on Earth. The phenomenon may also favor the appearance of auroras borealis and australis during the period.
