Colliding plasma ejections from the Sun generate huge geomagnetic storms − studying them will help scientists monitor future space weather
- Written by Shirsh Lata Soni, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan
The Sun periodically ejects huge bubbles of plasma from its surface that contain an intense magnetic field. These events are called coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. When two of these ejections collide, they can generate powerful geomagnetic storms that can lead to beautiful auroras but may disrupt satellites and GPS back on Earth.
On May 10, 2024,...