High-speed solar storm approaching Earth; can interrupt cell phone, GPS signals

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, July 11

At a speed of 1.6 million kilometres per hour, a powerful solar storm is approaching the Earth. The storm will hit the Earth on Sunday or Monday.

A report by Spaceweather.com claims that the storm has originated from the Sun's atmosphere. This would have a significant impact on the region of space dominated by Earth's magnetic field.

"THE SOLAR WIND IS COMING: Later today, a high-speed stream of solar wind is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. Flowing from an equatorial hole in the sun's atmosphere, wind speeds could top 500 km/s. Full-fledged geomagnetic storms are unlikely, but lesser geomagnetic unrest could spark high latitude auroras. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.", reads the post on their website.

Because of the solar storm, there will be a view of fascinating celestial lighting for people living at the North or South Pole.

Spaceweather.com added that the outer atmosphere of the Earth could be heated, due to solar storms, which could have a direct effect on the satellites.

This could cause interference with GPS navigation, mobile phone signal and satellite TV. The current in power lines can be high, which can also blow transformers.

As per the US space agency, NASA, the speed of the solar storm could increase from 1.6 million kilometres per hour.