The Biggest Solar Storm in 20 Years

The Biggest Solar Storm in 20 Years

The Biggest Solar Storm in 20 Years... When NASA Was Surprised by What It Was Simulating

A year ago, representatives from NASA and about 30 other US agencies gathered for an unprecedented training exercise to simulate a catastrophic scenario originating from the sun.

The exercise, dubbed the "Space Weather Table Top Exercise," was intended to test the preparedness of US agencies to confront a solar magnetic storm that could disrupt Earth's magnetic field and affect satellites, power grids, and astronauts. But what no one expected was that the hypothetical scenario would become a reality during the exercise itself.

On May 10, 2024, Earth was struck by the first Category 5 (the most severe) solar magnetic storm in more than 20 years. It was named "Gannon Storm" in honor of the late scientist Jennifer Gannon, a leading expert in space weather.

Although the storm didn't cause a catastrophe, its effects extended from deep within the Earth to Mars, exposing vital vulnerabilities and providing scientists with unprecedented information.

Disruptions on Earth and in Orbit

The storm heated the upper atmosphere (the thermosphere) to temperatures exceeding 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit, causing it to expand and lifting heavy molecules like nitrogen to unusual heights. This atmospheric expansion increased air resistance for satellites, forcing some to adjust their trajectories, while others, like the CIRBE satellite, were thrown out of orbit entirely.

 On Earth, power lines were downed and agricultural navigation systems were damaged. Kansas State University reported that farmers in the American Midwest lost an average of about $17,000 per farm due to GPS-guided tractors being blown off course.

Spectacular Polar Lights

One of the most spectacular phenomena associated with the storm was the appearance of aurora borealis in unusual locations, such as Japan, and even in a rare color: purple.

NASA explained that the reason was due to the aurora being about 600 miles above Earth, much higher than usual, and the mixing of radiation from oxygen and nitrogen under unusual conditions.

On Mars, NASA's MAVEN mission observed a polar aurora engulfing the Red Planet from May 14 to 20. The Curiosity rover also recorded an unprecedented spike in radiation, equivalent to 30 X-rays if astronauts were exposed to it.

The Future of Solar Storms

The impact of Storm Ganon wasn't catastrophic, but it was the most well-documented solar storm in history. It provided a unique opportunity for scientists to analyze the behavior of the Sun and its ramifications on Earth and beyond.

NASA said that the data collected from this historic event will continue to be studied for years to come, in an effort to understand how to protect Earth and modern technology from the Sun's wrath.