‘Cannibal’ coronal mass ejection from the sun will smash into Earth TODAY – and could spark geomagnetic storms and trigger power outages, scientists warn

It’s quite common for Earth to be hit by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupted by the sun.

But what is less known to scientists is the terrifying ‘cannibal’ release of energetic and highly magnetized gas, which is exactly what is currently on a collision course with our planet.

Coming from multiple solar storms and an unusual “dark eruption,” there are fears the cannibal CME could unleash a weak geomagnetic storm when it hits Earth today (Tuesday).

While it is unlikely to have a major impact on our electronic systems, satellites or power grids, scientists have warned that there is a potential for minor glitches and blackouts.

Sean Elvidge, Associate Professor of Space Environment at the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline: ‘These storms are manifesting as large disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, potentially causing various space weather effects.

‘On the one hand, they can lead to radio outages, disrupting the communication systems on our planet. On the other hand, these storms can produce awe-inspiring displays of natural beauty known as auroras.”

Essentially, a ‘cannibal’ CME is formed when a first ejection is followed by a second faster one that overtakes and sweeps up the first to create a massive wave of plasma.

“This could have significant implications both in space and here on Earth,” added Dr. Elvidge to it.

“The collision of CMEs reminds us of the enormous power of the sun and its potential impact on our technological infrastructure and society.”

Four days ago, a so-called “dark flare” was launched alongside a CME — so named because the solar flare contains unusually cool plasma that makes it appear darker compared to the sun’s surface.

Then, 24 hours later, a second, faster CME erupted from a separate, much larger sunspot.

It was this faster CME that overtook the previous one and led to the creation of a cannibalistic cloud that is expected to hit us later.

The Met Office’s Space Weather division said “unstable to active geomagnetic activity is likely at first,” with a possibility of minor geomagnetic storms.

This prediction was echoed by the US-based Space Weather Prediction Center, which created a simulation showing that the cannibal CME will hit us today.

Essentially a ‘cannibal’ CME is formed when a first ejection is followed by a second faster one that overtakes and sweeps up the first to create a massive wave of plasma (pictured above)

Solar activity: Four days ago, a so-called ‘dark burst’ was launched next to a CME. Then, 24 hours later, a second, faster CME erupted from a separate, much larger sunspot (pictured)

Such collisions are quite rare as they require successive CMEs to travel at specific speeds and to be perfectly matched.

However, one hit just two years ago and caused a major geomagnetic storm.

These storms are categorized according to the G scale.

What is expected to be activated today is the weakest kind, or G-1, which can cause weak power grid fluctuations and have a minor impact on satellite operations.

G-2 is moderate, G-3 is strong – where false alarms can be triggered on some security devices – and G-4 is severe.

A G-5 geomagnetic storm is the most severe. Labeled “extreme,” it can cause blackouts, damage transformers and make it difficult to control satellites in low Earth orbit.

Although rare, cannibal CMEs are seen in increasing numbers as the sun reaches the peak of its 11-year solar cycle — the next one coming in 2025.

This is because the Sun’s magnetic field is becoming increasingly unstable, which in turn increases the number of sunspots from which CMEs can erupt.

The 2025 peak was thought to be fainter than past solar maxima, though recent research suggests otherwise — and that it could come earlier than two years.

Calculations: The US-based Space Weather Prediction Center has created a simulation in which the cannibal CME is heading towards our planet

SUNSTORMS ARE A CLEAR DANGER TO ASTRONAUTS AND CAN DAMAGE SATELLITES

Solar stormsor solar activity, can be divided into four main components that can have consequences on Earth:

• Solar flares: A large explosion in the atmosphere of the sun. These flares are made from photons coming directly from the flare site. Solar flares only strike Earth when they occur on the side of the Sun that faces Earth.
• Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): Large clouds of plasma and magnetic field emanating from the sun. These clouds can erupt in any direction and then continue in that direction, plowing through the solar wind. These clouds only cause impacts on the Earth when they are aimed at the Earth.
• Fast solar wind currents: These come from solar coronal holes, which form all over the sun and usually only when closer to the solar equator do the winds affect the Earth.
• Solar energetic particles: High-energy charged particles believed to be released primarily by shocks formed at the leading edge of coronal mass ejections and solar flares. When a CME cloud plows through the solar wind, solar energetic particles can be produced, and because they are charged, they follow the magnetic field lines between the sun and Earth. Only charged particles that follow magnetic field lines that intersect the Earth will have an impact.

While these may seem dangerous, astronauts are not in immediate danger from these phenomena due to the relatively low orbit of manned missions.

However, they should be concerned about the cumulative exposure during spacewalks.

This picture shows the sun’s coronal holes in an x-ray. The outer solar atmosphere, the corona, is structured by strong magnetic fields, which when closed can cause the atmosphere to suddenly and violently release gas bubbles or tongues and magnetic fields called coronal mass ejections

The damage caused by solar storms

Solar flares can damage satellites and have enormous financial costs.

The charged particles could also threaten airlines by disrupting the Earth’s magnetic field.

Very large flares can even cause currents in power grids and shut down the energy supply.

When coronal mass ejections hit Earth, they cause geomagnetic storms and enhanced aurora.

They can interfere with radio waves, GPS coordinates and overload electrical systems.

A large influx of energy can enter high-voltage grids and permanently damage transformers.

This can shut down businesses and homes around the world.

Source: NASA – Solar Storm and Space Weather