Solar Orbiter Spacecraft Under Siege: Multiple Solar Storms Threaten Communication
A massive solar plasma explosion, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), collided with Europe's Solar Orbiter spacecraft after bursting out of the sun's surface. If it had hit the Earth, it could have triggered powerful geomagnetic storms. The CME was detected by the Solar Orbiter 32 hours after it erupted, indicating its speed and strength. CMEs are flung out from the sun's surface when its magnetic fields suddenly realign. The impact of CMEs on Earth's near-space environment varies depending on their speed and magnetic field. Geomagnetic storms can cause disturbances in the Earth's magnetic environment, affecting electrical equipment and power grids. Fortunately, this CME passed harmlessly into space, but as the sun approaches its solar maximum in 2025, more powerful CMEs and solar flares are expected.