GEOMAGNETIC STORM TO HIT SA THIS WEEKEND
Expect some disruption in communications and navigation systems this weekend as a geomagnetic storm is about to hit South Africa.
This was announced by the South African National Space Agency (Sansa). According to Sansa, the storm could cause the re-appearance of the Southern Lights over South African skies.
“This is the strongest Earth-facing solar flare recorded by Sansa in the past seven years,” said Sansa in a statement.
The statement continued that solar flares are measured in five categories: A, B, C, M and X with X being the strongest. The storm expected to hit South Africa over the weekend is measured as X9.05.
The origin of the storm erupted on Thursday 3 October at 14:18. This flare impacted high-frequency radio communications resulting in a total radio blackout over the African region which lasted for up to 20 minutes, Sansa said.
The Citizen reports that Sansa said geomagnetic storms can have a severe impact on communication and navigation systems as well as the power grid and urged industries using these systems should take note of possible disruptions over the weekend.
Image credit: Cape Town Etc
Expect some disruption in communications and navigation systems this weekend as a geomagnetic storm is about to hit South Africa.
This was announced by the South African National Space Agency (Sansa). According to Sansa, the storm could cause the re-appearance of the Southern Lights over South African skies.
“This is the strongest Earth-facing solar flare recorded by Sansa in the past seven years,” said Sansa in a statement.
The statement continued that solar flares are measured in five categories: A, B, C, M and X with X being the strongest. The storm expected to hit South Africa over the weekend is measured as X9.05.
The origin of the storm erupted on Thursday 3 October at 14:18. This flare impacted high-frequency radio communications resulting in a total radio blackout over the African region which lasted for up to 20 minutes, Sansa said.
The Citizen reports that Sansa said geomagnetic storms can have a severe impact on communication and navigation systems as well as the power grid and urged industries using these systems should take note of possible disruptions over the weekend.
Image credit: Cape Town Etc
