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The May 2024 solar storm generated new radiation belts on Earth, including energetic protons, with the potential to impact 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 features never before observed.
The explosion of solar particles that hit the planet brought a set of effects that were more far-reaching and lasting than expected, even affecting the depths of the oceans.
Effects of solar storm
After intense activity in the SOL, our planet was hit by a powerful burst of solar particles that shook the 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 a completely unexpected storm, as it had occurred in previous solar flares.
However, what surprised scientists was the presence of energetic protons in one of these new belts, something never before detected.
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 function 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 the Earth's magnetic field, it forms these belts around the planet. During intense solar storms, such as in May 2024, this process can intensify, generating new temporary belts.
The unexpected discovery: energetic protons
The May solar storm brought something new. When scientists investigated data collected by NASA's Inner Radiation Belt Experiment CubeSat, they found two new radiation belts, one predominantly composed of electrons and the other of energetic protons.
The discovery was surprising, as protons have never been detected in temporary belts of this nature.
Xinlin Li, a physicist at the University of Colorado, expressed his surprise when analyzing the data: “When we compared the data from before and after the storm, I said, 'Wow, this is something really new.' ".
The presence of energetic protons in these belts marks a significant change in our understanding of the behavior of solar storms.
The persistence of temporary belts
What was most impressive was how long the new belts lasted. While previous temporary belts usually disappeared within a matter of weeks, the new 2024 belts were resolved in more than three months.
This is an indication that the solar storm had a longer-lasting impact on Earth's magnetosphere.
Although subsequent solar storms in June and August reduced the density of particles, it is still possible to observe the presence of some particles, especially protons, which can persist for more than a year.
Risks to satellites and space technologies
The presence of these high-energy particles poses a potential risk to satellites in Earth orbit. Energetic particles, such as protons found in the new belts, can affect the operation of satellites and other space-dependent technological equipment.
Understanding the density of these particles and their effects will be essential for developing mitigation and protection strategies.
Ongoing research and relevance
Although the risks posed by the new radiation belts have not yet been fully quantified, the discovery is of great importance to the field of space science. Continued studies will help measure the longevity and effects of these particles.
The research, published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics.
