A severe solar storm temporarily altered the ionosphere over Mexico on Monday, January 19, causing disruptions to high-frequency radio communications.
According to the U.S. National Office of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it was a severe solar storm of category S4, the strongest recorded since October 2003.
The impact on the Northern Hemisphere produced auroras in countries such as the United States and Canada, as well as northern Europe, while in Mexico, travel advisories were issued for those planning to fly in the coming days.
According to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center, the auroras will be visible at least until the early hours of Tuesday, January 20.
Meanwhile, the National Space Weather Laboratory Service of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) explained that “it is not possible to determine whether these auroras would be visible from northern regions of Mexico.”
However, another G4 geomagnetic storm began Monday night, potentially increasing the likelihood of aurora borealis sightings in Mexico, particularly in the north.
The ionospheric changes caused by the solar storm did not result in significant variations in Mexico; however, there was an increase in the flux of solar protons in the near-Earth environment, indicating a moderate risk of energetic particles to the stability of Earth’s space environment.
Radiation risk for passengers and crews of aircraft flying at high altitudes and high latitudes. Localized, though infrequent, disturbances to satellite operations. Propagation of high-frequency (HF) waves.
Source: elfinanciero
