Coronal Mass Ejection Targets Earth

Coronal Mass Ejection Targets Earth

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is coming ... NASA's spacecraft photographed the jet-like storm cloud leaving the sun on Sept. 20th. NOAA forecasters analysed the CME's trajectory and found that it will graze Earth's magnetic field on Sept. 25th.

The source of the CME was an explosion in the sun's southern hemisphere. A magnetic filament erupted, hurling part of itself into space. The debris dragged part of the sun's atmosphere along with it, forming the CME.

Because CMEs often contain intense magnetic fields, even minor CME strikes can do a good job of causing geomagnetic storms. In combination with a solar wind stream expected to arrive just ahead of it, this CME could spark a good display of Arctic auroras.

Geomagnetic storms fritz your nervous system,so remember to ground yourself, hydrate and rest when your body demands it.