What is Space Hurricane?
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| Fig: Space Hurricane |
A ‘space hurricane’ is a swirling mass of plasma. The space hurricane has been spotted in Earth’s ionosphere.
The whole thing lasted nearly eight hours, depositing vast amounts of energy and momentum into the ionosphere
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| Fig: Above Image is depicting that how Earth's Magnetic Lines are Affected by it |
Features of space hurricane:
The event was a whirling pattern not in the air, but in plasma, ionized gas that is found throughout the Solar System, including in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
The hurricane was spinning in a counterclockwise direction (like hurricanes do in the Northern Hemisphere), had multiple spiral arms.
Like its more mundane counterparts, the space hurricane had a quiet center and widespread circulation.
It also featured precipitation, but of energetic electrons rather than water droplets.
How is it different and similar to earth hurricanes?
Difference " Electrons instead of water: Unlike other hurricanes, however, the space hurricane rained electrons into the ionosphere.
This had a stunning effect: a huge, cyclone-shaped aurora below the hurricane.
Similarity " The space hurricane — which took place during a period of low geomagnetic activity — had many similar features with that of hurricanes of the Earth that form in Earth’s lower atmosphere. "
Huge Amount of Energy: Tropical storms are associated with huge amounts of energy, and these space hurricanes must be created by unusually large and rapid transfer of solar wind energy and charged particles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Can they create problem?
- These space hurricanes can, probably, lead to:
- Increased satellite problems
- Disturbances in high-frequency radio communications,
- Satellite navigation,
- Communication systems " increased errors in the over-the-horizon radar location "
- Grid failure