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The Solar Storm of May 2024 Generated New Radiation Belts on Earth, Including Energetic Protons with Potential Impact on Satellites
In May 2024, Earth was hit by a solar storm of epic proportions, the force of which not only lit up our skies with auroras at natural latitudes but also generated characteristics never before observed.
The explosion of solar particles that struck the planet brought a set of more extensive and long-lasting effects than expected, affecting even the depths of the oceans.
Effects of the Solar Storm
After intense activity on the Sun, our planet was hit by a powerful explosion of solar particles that disrupted Earth’s magnetic field. This event generated auroras at lower latitudes than normal and caused profound changes in the structure of our magnetic field.
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In the following months, Earth was surrounded by two new temporary radiation belts formed by high-energy particles. This was not an entirely unexpected storm, as it had occurred in previous solar events.
However, what surprised scientists was the presence of energetic protons in one of these new belts, something never detected before.
Radiation Belts: Earth’s Natural Defenses
Radiation belts are a common feature of planets with magnetic fields. In the case of Earth, there are two permanent belts known as the Van Allen belts.
These belts act as a natural defense against solar and cosmic particles, protecting the planet from aggressive bombardments.
When the stellar wind, composed of charged particles, interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, it forms these belts around the planet. In intense solar storms, like in May 2024, this process can intensify, generating new temporary belts.
The Unexpected Discovery: Energetic Protons
The solar storm in May brought something new. When scientists examined the data collected by NASA’s CubeSat Radiation Belt Storm Probes, they found two new radiation belts, one predominantly composed of electrons and the other of energetic protons.
The discovery was surprising, as protons had never been detected in temporary belts of this nature.
Xinlin Li, a physicist at the University of Colorado, expressed his surprise while analyzing the data: “When we compared the data before and after the storm, I said, ‘Wow, this is really something new’.”
The presence of energetic protons in these belts marks a significant shift in our understanding of the behavior of solar storms.
The Persistence of Temporary Belts
What was most impressive was the duration of the new belts. While previous temporary belts usually disappeared within weeks, the new belts of 2024 persisted for over three months.
This indicates that the solar storm had a more lasting impact on Earth’s magnetosphere.
Despite subsequent solar storms in June and August reducing the density of particles, some particles, particularly protons, may still be present for over a year.
Risks to Satellites and Space Technologies
The presence of these high-energy particles poses a potential risk to satellites in Earth’s orbit. Energetic particles, such as the protons found in the new belts, can affect the operation of satellites and other technological equipment that relies on space.
Understanding the density of these particles and their effects will be crucial for developing mitigation and protection strategies.
Ongoing Research and Relevance
Although the risks posed by the new radiation belts are not yet fully quantified, the discovery is of great importance to the field of space science. Ongoing studies help measure the longevity and effects of these particles.
The research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics.
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