On May 11, a stunning display of the aurora borealis amazed skywatchers throughout the southern United States. Meanwhile, during the same weekend, a GPS-guided tractor in the Midwest failed to reach its intended destination. What’s the connection between the visibility of the northern lights and the malfunctioning agricultural equipment? They are both linked to an exceptionally strong geomagnetic storm, as highlighted by recent research.
On May 11, a stunning display of the aurora borealis amazed skywatchers throughout the southern United States. Meanwhile, during the same weekend, a GPS-guided tractor in the Midwest failed to reach its intended destination.
What connection exists between the visibility of the northern lights and the malfunctioning agricultural equipment in the Midwest?
According to two recently published studies co-authored by Scott England from Virginia Tech, all is due to a uniquely robust geomagnetic storm.
“The auroras are generated by energetic charged particles colliding with our upper atmosphere, influenced by various elements in space, including solar activity,” remarked England, who is an associate professor in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering. “During solar geomagnetic storms, there is a significant increase in these energetic particles around Earth, leading to the northern lights becoming more vibrant and extending their visibility to regions, like the lower 48 states, that typically don’t observe them.”
Using NASA’s GOLD instrument, England and a team of researchers monitored the atmospheric events on May 11. They discovered it was the strongest geomagnetic storm recorded in the past two decades. Their findings were recently detailed in the journal Geophysical Research Letters across two different studies, both including contributions from England. The first study, led by Deepak Karan from the University of Colorado, Boulder, revealed unprecedented shifts in the distribution of particles in the upper atmosphere. The second study, overseen by Virginia Tech alumnus J. Scott Evans ’88, focused on changes in composition and temperature.
Among the observations, England noted seeing “delightful swirly patterns” for the first time and a profound movement of air away from the aurora, resulting in massive vortices that created spirals larger than hurricanes. Specific findings included:
- Unpredictable movements of low-energy charged particles migrating from the equatorial regions toward the aurora
- Charged particles classified into low and high energy categories, the latter posing threats to humans in space and damaging electronic devices
- Temperature and pressure fluctuations likely leading to observed swirls and vortices
- Shifts in the locations and spread of low-energy particles that could impair GPS systems, satellites, and even the electrical grid
“As the aurora’s intensity rises, more lights become visible, but this also signifies that more energy is entering the atmosphere, heating the polar regions and pushing air toward the equator,” England explained. “This data raises numerous questions: did something genuinely different occur during this geomagnetic storm, or do we just have enhanced tools to measure these changes?”
Additionally, what implications do these variations hold for mankind’s technological systems operating in that atmospheric region?
Beyond a northern lights spectacle
The upper atmosphere of Earth, extending from roughly 60 to 400 miles above us, is adjacent to space and serves as the operational zone for satellites and the International Space Station. This upper atmospheric region shares some particles with the lower atmosphere, which sustains life. However, it also displays its unique aspects in the ionosphere—akin to an electric blanket—richly charged and perpetually fluctuating. The presence of charged particles in the ionosphere makes this sphere of space particularly dynamic. Temperature and composition shifts in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere are not only common but also occur according to daily, nightly, and seasonal cycles.
According to England, particles in Earth’s atmosphere are influenced by various factors in outer space, such as solar activity. During a solar geomagnetic storm flare, a concentrated burst of solar radiation alters the makeup and velocity of particles in the Earth’s atmosphere. So, why have the northern lights recently become visible in numerous locations where they were once unseen?
“The count of sunspots, flares, and storms follows an 11-year cycle known as the solar cycle,” England noted. “The frequency of flares has been gradually rising over the last couple of years as we approach the solar cycle’s peak.”
Alongside the emergence of the northern lights, geomagnetic storms influence a variety of technological systems. Since radio and GPS signals travel through this fluctuating “electric blanket,” alterations in this atmospheric layer can disrupt signals and hinder navigation and communication functions, including GPS systems. A multitude of factors from both terrestrial and space weather can affect this critical layer, but there’s still much to comprehend regarding changes in the upper and lower atmosphere and their potential consequences on daily life.
“These storms can also amplify electrical currents that circulate around the planet, which can affect technological devices that utilize extensive wiring. In recent years, there have been instances where excess current through power lines has impacted the electrical grid. During the largest geomagnetic storm ever documented, known as the Carrington Event in 1859, telegraph systems—the leading technology of that era—caught fire as a result,” England explained.
Scientists believe that a geomagnetic storm akin to the 1859 Carrington Event could potentially lead to a widespread internet collapse today, disconnecting countless people and businesses. Although the May 11 storm did not cause significant disruptions, with the solar cycle’s peak expected in July 2025, we are still about a year away from understanding the possible impacts.
“A primary reason for studying geomagnetic storms is to devise models that can predict their impacts,” England said. “Based on the solar cycle’s projections, we anticipate the conditions seen this year will persist for the next two years.”
