Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro The Northern Lights, a fascinating celestial display, pose hidden risks to human infrastructure: NASA study reveals in "Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences"
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Witnessing the Northern Lights at least once in a lifetime is a dream for many. This mesmerizing display of dancing lights in the sky is one of the most captivating natural phenomena on Earth. However, beneath this beauty lies potential danger for humans and infrastructure.
Geomagnetic storms can negatively affect not only the power grid and satellites but also gas pipelines and submarine cables. NASA scientists, in a study published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, have discovered that the Northern Lights are shortening the lifespan of pipelines that provide heating and electricity. But how is this possible?
The impact of the aurora on Earth’s power grid and satellites during major geomagnetic storms has long been documented. Now, researchers are focusing on the side effects of the electric currents associated with geomagnetic storms on gas pipelines and submarine cables.
How the Northern Lights Affect Our Infrastructure
The Northern Lights are caused by two main processes: particles expelled from the sun reach Earth’s magnetic field causing a geomagnetic storm, or interplanetary shocks compress Earth’s magnetic field. These shocks generate geomagnetically induced currents that can damage electrical infrastructure.
The colors of the aurora depend on the gases present in the atmosphere: atomic oxygen produces red, molecular oxygen green, and nitrogen blue. The Northern Lights can be seen in a ring-shaped region around the Earth’s magnetic pole. The best places to witness the Northern Lights include Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, Northern Canada, Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, with spring and autumn being ideal times.
Dr. Denny Oliveira from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center explains:
“The aurora is a visual warning that electric currents in space can generate geomagnetically induced currents on Earth’s surface.”
During strong geomagnetic storms, the auroral region can expand significantly, reaching much lower latitudes than usual. The auroras have inspired myths and legends for millennia, but with modern electrical technology, we are beginning to understand their true power.
The same forces that create light shows in the sky also generate currents that can damage pipelines and power grids. Scientists have now demonstrated that the angle of impact of interplanetary shocks is crucial for the strength of the currents, providing an opportunity to predict and mitigate damage.
The May Geomagnetic Storm: A Wake-Up Call
Last May, we experienced the most intense geomagnetic storm in the past twenty years. A similar event in 1989 caused a blackout in Canada, leaving millions without electricity for hours. What can we do to prevent such disasters in the future?
Scientists suggest predicting the angle of interplanetary shocks two hours before impact with Earth to protect the most vulnerable infrastructure. NASA has also urged electric companies to share their data to improve predictions and better protect our power grids.
Source: Frontiers
