Plasma filaments erupted from a solar flare at least 20,000 km deep and 200,000 km long, appearing on the surface of the Sun on April 3rd.
Solar flare emitting charged plasma filaments. (Photo: NASA)
The latest plasma eruption will release streams of solar wind carrying extremely strong magnetic fields, leading to more auroras on Earth over the weekend. The UK Met Office confirmed two plasma filament eruptions occurred in the southern central region of the Sun. Satellites observing in the ultraviolet spectrum and ground-based telescopes using infrared wavelengths were able to capture the eruption.
The first plasma filament was ejected from the Sun around 11 PM on April 3rd, with the second appearing shortly after at 5 AM on April 5th, Hanoi time. Both events were accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is the release of charged plasma from the Sun’s corona. When directed towards Earth, a CME can affect the magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms. Strong geomagnetic storms can disrupt satellite connections and damage electronic equipment in orbit. In some cases, they can even disturb power grids on the ground.
The CME associated with the plasma filaments on April 3rd is expected to reach Earth around 10 PM on April 6th, Hanoi time, potentially generating mild geomagnetic storms rated G1 or G2. Since the Earth’s magnetic field is weakest at the poles, the magnetic particles from the CME can penetrate deeper into the planet’s atmosphere in these areas. The interaction between solar particles and atmospheric particles will create stunning auroras.
According to the Met Office, the geomagnetic environment on Earth will become quieter in the coming days as a recently active sunspot rotates away from Earth.
