Nanjing, March 27 (Xinhua) - According to the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the "KuaFu-1" satellite has fully observed the recent outbreak of a geomagnetic storm. Currently, related research is being conducted in-depth. Despite its name containing "Earth," geomagnetic storms are actually typical solar eruption activities. Huang Yu, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Scientific Application System of "KuaFu-1," explained that this eruption originated from two active regions in the center of the sun - 13614 and 13615, with 13615 having a complex sunspot group structure. The evolution of the complex magnetic field structure of the sunspots led to this X1-class flare eruption and the accompanying coronal mass ejection. The position of this coronal mass ejection was almost directly facing Earth, so when viewed from Earth, the ejected material formed a circular shape, known as a "halo coronal mass ejection."
As China's first comprehensive satellite dedicated to solar exploration, the "KuaFu-1" satellite aims to observe "one magnetic field and two storms," monitoring the solar magnetic field, as well as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Huang Yu stated that all three payloads of the "KuaFu-1" satellite observed and recorded the entire process of this X1-class flare and coronal mass ejection eruption.
"Geomagnetic storms have almost no impact on human health, but they can affect human life," said Huang Yu, giving examples of how geomagnetic storms can affect radio wave propagation, interfere with radio communications, affect aircraft and ships, and even disrupt mobile phone signals. High-energy particles may also damage artificial satellites, space stations, and other spacecraft, leading to malfunctions.
Fortunately, the impact of this geomagnetic storm activity is relatively small, and its activity is currently weakening. According to the latest observations, although this coronal mass ejection itself is powerful, the magnetic fields it contains, as well as the geomagnetic field, are mostly aligned in the same direction, so their interaction may not be very strong.
With the topic of "geomagnetic storms" frequently appearing on hot searches, social media platforms are filled with words of concern and worry. In response, Huang Yu stated that in 2024, there are X-class solar flares erupting every month, but not every flare eruption will result in a coronal mass ejection, and even if it does, its propagation direction may not necessarily be towards Earth. Currently, it is possible to forecast coronal mass ejections based on observations from solar satellites and ground equipment.
During this geomagnetic storm period, several high-latitude regions in China witnessed a stunning yet brief "aurora feast." "Solar activity is cyclical, with an average cycle of 11 years. We are currently in the ascending phase of the 25th solar activity cycle, and the sun is becoming increasingly active. Aurora enthusiasts can look forward to it," said Huang Yu. (End)
