NASA scientists have revealed that the stunning Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have a hidden dark side. Each display of the lights can damage essential ground infrastructure.
During severe geomagnetic storms, like last May, the risk to core infrastructure increases significantly.
NASA scientists have revealed that the stunning Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have a hidden dark side. Stein Egil Liland from Pexels
NASA on Hidden Dangers of Northern Lights
The beautiful skylights are caused by electrical currents from the sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field. While the effects on Earth's electrical grid and satellites are well-known, NASA scientists have discovered that these electrical currents can also harm natural gas pipelines and subsea cables.
This new research indicates that these currents are quietly reducing the lifespan of pipelines that supply heating and electricity to homes worldwide.
Over time, repeated exposure to these currents can lead to long-term damage, making the Northern Lights not just a visual wonder but also a potential threat to our infrastructure.
Scientists found that Northern Lights can damage any infrastructure that conducts electricity on Earth. While stronger geomagnetic storms produce more vivid auroras and powerful electrical currents, The Sun reported that even frequent, less intense shocks can cause significant damage.
Dr. Denny Oliveira of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the study's lead author, explained that both auroras and geomagnetically induced currents stem from similar space weather events. He described the aurora as a visual warning of electric currents in space generating geomagnetically induced currents on the ground.
Impact of Northern Lights on Global Infrastructure
Essential infrastructure, including power grids and pipelines, is at greater risk during severe geomagnetic storms. This finding underscores the hidden dangers behind the beauty of the Northern Lights.
In May, a severe geomagnetic storm dramatically increased the number of Northern Lights sightings in various regions unaccustomed to them, prominently in Britain. Scientists called it the most intense storm in the last 20 years.
Oliveira noted that the most significant damage to power infrastructure occurred during a similar storm in March 1989 that shut down the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada for nearly nine hours and affected millions.
Weaker, more frequent geomagnetic events, such as interplanetary shocks, also pose threats to ground conductors. These events generate significant geoelectric currents, which occur frequently and require attention to mitigate their impact on infrastructure.
Scientists have found that head-on interplanetary shocks create stronger geomagnetic currents than angled shocks. They believe they can predict the angles of these shocks up to two hours before they hit Earth, giving electrical grids time to protect vulnerable infrastructure.
By managing specific electric circuits when a shock alert is issued, power infrastructure operators could safeguard their equipment from geomagnetically induced currents, which can reduce its lifespan.
NASA scientists have urged power companies to share their data for better research. Currently, available data is limited to Finland's Mäntsälä natural gas pipeline system, which does not provide a global perspective.
Additionally, gaps in the Mäntsälä data forced scientists to exclude many events from their shock database. Access to data from power companies worldwide would enhance the study of geomagnetic impacts.
