The massive solar storm that illuminated skies worldwide in May 2024 has uncovered an unexpected twist: Earth's own atmosphere may have helped make the storm so powerful. Satellite measurements revealed that roughly 85% of the charged particles fueling the disturbance originated from Earth's upper atmosphere rather than the solar wind. Scientists also detected an extraordinary 40% weakening of Earth's magnetic field high above the planet.
Science · 2026-11-13
The Sun unleashed a monster storm. Earth may have made it worse
The massive solar storm that illuminated skies worldwide in May 2024 has uncovered an unexpected twist: Earth's own atmosphere may have helped make the storm so powerful. Satellite measurements revealed that roughly 85% of the charged particles fueling the disturbance originated from Earth's upper atmosphere rather than the solar wind.
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