The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), through the Mexican Space Weather Service (SCIESMEX), has issued a warning regarding the imminent arrival of a geomagnetic storm caused by intense solar activity recorded in recent days.
The Sun has experienced a series of energy explosionsamong them a X5 class flare —one of the most powerful on the measurement scale—, accompanied by coronal mass ejections directed towards our planet.
READ: UNAM warns of possible effects on telecommunications and satellites due to intense solar activity
These emissions send huge clouds of charged particles into space that, when they reach the Earth, can alter its magnetic field and trigger geomagnetic storms. Such storms do not pose a direct risk to human health, but they can cause disruptions to modern technology.
According to SCIESMEX, The released solar particles could generate a storm of significant intensity, comparable to those recorded in May and October 2024when solar activity caused slight failures in satellite systems and allowed the observation of northern lights in unusual areas, such as northern Mexico.
When will the solar storm hit?
This phenomenon, derived from several flares and coronal mass ejections, could impact the Earth between the evening of this Tuesday and Wednesday, November 12with possible repercussions on different technological and communication systems in Mexico and other regions of the world.
What effects would there be from the solar storm?
Among the most likely effects are temporary interruptions in the communications by high frequency radioused in the aviationhe maritime transport y emergency services.
They could also present variations in satellite positioning (GPS) accuracy, failures in communication and observation satellitesas well as alterations in wide-ranging electrical networks.
SCIESMEX maintains constant surveillance of the phenomenon and coordinates actions with the National Civil Protection System to update forecasts and issue timely recommendations. The population is suggested to follow official reports and avoid the dissemination of unverified information.
In addition to its possible technological impacts, the geomagnetic storm could bring a visual spectacle. If the intensity of the phenomenon increases, the northern lights could be observed in regions further south than usual.
These lights originate when solar particles collide with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmospheric molecules, generating flashes in green, red and violet tones that illuminate the night sky.
EE