A solar storm has resulted in a rare warning being issued as Earth faces power supplies and internet issues.
The severe geomagnetic storm watch was put out by America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration yesterday.
A similar warning was last issued in January 2005 when the highest dose of radiation in half-a-century hit the Earth.
GPS and power grids could be impacted by the imminent solar storm, with disruption potentially lasting for two hours.
Rare warning issued as geomagnetic storm set to hit Earth could wipe out internet and power grids
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The Met Office warned it may continue at reduced strength on Saturday and Sunday.
The solar storm could emit a “spectacular display” of light which resembles the Northern Lights.
The UK’s national weather service said: “[There is] a chance that aurora may become visible to all parts of the UK.”
A series of solar flares released arge volumes of plasma on the sun.
The internet could crash
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The situation resulted in America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issuing its warning.
The alert read: “NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC)- a division of the National Weather Service – is monitoring the sun following a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that began on May 8.
“Space weather forecasters have issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the evening of Friday.
“Additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend.”
The situation resulted in America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issuing its warning
GETTYIt added: “A large sunspot cluster has produced several moderate to strong solar flares since Wednesday at 5:00 am ET.
“At least five flares were associated with CMEs that appear to be Earth-directed.
“SWPC forecasters will monitor NOAA and NASA’s space assets for the onset of a geomagnetic storm.”
The last alert, issued in 2005, saw a storm of energetic protons hit Earth just 15 minutes later.