Strong solar winds on the way - could knock out power

The sun Two large holes discovered in the sun 

Of:  

Oskar Forsberg  

Published: Less than 30 min ago  

NEWS  

Solar 

winds from holes in the sun are expected to hit Earth tonight or tomorrow.  

If they become strong enough, the winds can have unforeseen consequences.  

In the worst case, electronics and communication can be disrupted.  

Two large holes in the Sun have recently been observed. One of the holes points directly to Earth and strong solar winds are expected from there.  

The solar winds moving at high speed are expected to hit Earth this evening or tomorrow.  

This is reported by the magazine Business Insider.

- This time the particles travel at around 500 kilometers per second, but it can go even faster, up to 700 kilometers per second, Moa Skan, doctoral student in solar physics at Stockholm University.  

special now is that we have so-called corona holes. They are like a highway in the sun's atmosphere. The plasma is sent out at a higher speed than it usually does, says Moa Skan.  

- When there are high-density solar winds that move quickly, there can be more auroras than usual. They also become more intense, which means that you can see them further south in the country.

Powerful solar winds are headed for Earth. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Disorders  

But the solar winds can, according to experts, also have unforeseen consequences. 

If they become strong enough, they can disrupt electronics and communications on Earth. 

- Theoretically, it could happen if the particles coming from the sun have a sufficiently high speed, says Moa Skan, but adds:  

- It's nothing to worry about right now, that is, this time. Then those who build power lines and the like have also included this in the calculations. 

Northern Lights  

The consequences will most likely be powerful aurora borealis when the particles hit the atmosphere. They will be brought towards the north or south pole by the earth's electromagnetic field and thus create the aurora borealis. 

- The sun's plasma goes out all the time, but what is a little special now is that we have so-called corona holes. They are like a highway in the sun's atmosphere. The plasma is sent out at a higher speed than it usually does, says Moa Skan. 

 - When there are high-density solar winds that move quickly, there can be more auroras than usual. They also become more intense, which means that you can see them further south in the country.

The consequences will most likely be powerful aurora borealis when the particles hit the atmosphere. Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT 

But has it ever happened?  

- Yes, an example is in Quebec in Canada at the end of the 80s. Then something called a coronal mass ejection occurred. It's like a big explosion that sends out the sun's material very quickly. 

It led to a transformer in Quebec burning out, causing a widespread power outage in the city for several days.  

But this is not something there is any risk of right now. 

- Instead, maybe you should go to a dark place where you can see nice northern lights if you're lucky.