Bird-Wing Eruption

Source: HT

Context: A massive solar flare event, named the “bird-wing” eruption, was observed on the Sun’s northern hemisphere and is expected to impact Earth.

About Bird-Wing Eruption:

• What is the “Bird-Wing” Event?

• A visually dramatic solar eruption with plasma shaped like wings, observed by NASA satellites. The ejected plasma stream spanned over 1 million km, twice the Earth-Moon distance.

• A visually dramatic solar eruption with plasma shaped like wings, observed by NASA satellites.

• The ejected plasma stream spanned over 1 million km, twice the Earth-Moon distance.

• Features of the Event:

• Involved both a solar flare and a coronal mass ejection (CME). Plasma ejection occurred on the Sun’s northern hemisphere. Radiation already caused radio blackouts across parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

• Involved both a solar flare and a coronal mass ejection (CME).

• Plasma ejection occurred on the Sun’s northern hemisphere.

• Radiation already caused radio blackouts across parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

• What Are Solar Flares?

• Solar flares are intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation released due to reconnection of magnetic field lines. Often accompanied by CMEs, which are explosive outflows of charged solar plasma. Speed: Flares travel at light speed, CMEs take 1–3 days to reach Earth (speed: 250–3000 km/s).

• Solar flares are intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation released due to reconnection of magnetic field lines.

• Often accompanied by CMEs, which are explosive outflows of charged solar plasma.

• Speed: Flares travel at light speed, CMEs take 1–3 days to reach Earth (speed: 250–3000 km/s).

• Impact on Earth:

• Geomagnetic Storms: Disrupt satellite operations, GPS systems, radio communication, and power grids. Auroras: Enhanced Northern/Southern Lights activity possible at lower latitudes. Space Weather Alerts: Agencies on high alert for further space-based disruptions.

• Geomagnetic Storms: Disrupt satellite operations, GPS systems, radio communication, and power grids.

• Auroras: Enhanced Northern/Southern Lights activity possible at lower latitudes.

• Space Weather Alerts: Agencies on high alert for further space-based disruptions.