A GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING is in effect. NOAA forecasters say there is a 75% chance of geomagnetic storms on March 23rd when a coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to sideswipe Earth’s magnetic field. Storm levels could reach category G2, which is moderately strong. During G2-class storms, auroras may be seen in northern-tier US states as far south as New York and Idaho. In the grand scheme of space weather, C-class solar flares are not considered to be major events. However, these explosions are noteworthy now because the sun has recently been so quiet. Solar Minimum is underway. In context, C-flares represent a real uptick in solar activity. They can ionize the top of Earth’s atmosphere, disturb shortwave radio communications, and even hurl CMEs toward Earth. Indeed, one is heading our way now.
Additional images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) confirm that the CME is heading for Earth. While the bulk of the cloud appears set to miss our planet, the flanks of the CME should deliver a glancing blow. Estimated time of arrival: Late on March 22nd or sometime on March 23rd. NOAA forecasters favor the March 23rd estimate. Either way, moderate (G2) geomagnetic storms are possible when the CME arrives. It is possible that there may be radio signal brownouts. But more than that, did you know that there is a direct connection between the Sun’s solar storms and human biological effects? It is a scientific fact that animals and humans have a magnetic field which surrounds them in the very same way the magnetic field surrounds the Earth as a protector. Psychological effects of CMEs (coronal mass ejections) are typically short lived and include headache, palpitations, mood swings, and feeling generally unwell. Chaotic or confused thinking, and erratic behaviors also increase. We are pulled to make changes in our life, but we don’t actually understand why. Solar storms can drive our emotions and maximize it to both good and bad side – the point here is to be aware of it.
Currently, there is a large, 200,000-kilometer wide, canyon-shaped coronal hole that has opened up in the sun’s atmosphere, dividing almost the entire Earth-facing hemisphere of the sun. From this hole, on Tuesday, March 13th, a stream of high-speed solar wind (hot plasma) was ejected, and flew toward Earth at a speed faster than 600 kilometers per second. The highly charged wind has been buffeting Earth’s magnetic field (protective bubble) ever since. Solar flares are sudden flashes of brightness that are gaseous eruptions from the sun. They release vast amounts of tremendously hot, high-energy particles and gases that eject thousands of miles from the surface of the sun. The amount of energy it takes for a flare to shoot out is equivalent to approximately 160,000,000,000 megatons of TNT. However, the Russian Academy of Science predicts that there is worse to come. Their forecast shows that they are expecting major geomagnetic storms from March 21st to the 26th. Currently, the Geomagnetic Storm Warning has been issued by NOAA for today, March 22nd, Saturday, March 23rd and into Sunday March 24th.
Solar storms are known to desynchronize our circadian rhythm, which is the internal biological clock that controls our sleep and wake times. Our pineal glands are affected by this electromagnetic activity and produce an increase in melatonin—thus disturbing our sleep and impacting our intuition. We may have enhanced intuition and psychic awareness. Solar storms are also believed to directly impact our nervous system, causing us to feel extra edgy, cautious, and feisty, and as though we are running on adrenaline in “fight or flight” mode. When these storms occur, we can find ourselves spun out or agitated without knowing why. We may also notice that our senses are on high alert, and that everything feels and sounds louder, brighter, stronger, and more vivid than normal. In a newly published study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Synchronization of Human Autonomic Nervous System Rhythms with Geomagnetic Activity in Human Subjects, added further evidence to the scientific community’s understanding of how human autonomic nervous systems respond to environment influences. In this study, those influences resulted from, among other factors, changes in solar and geomagnetic activity, cosmic rays and the frequencies known as the Schumann resonances.
So even though some of this sounds “out there”, it does seem to be backed by scientific evidence. Flares are labelled as X, M, C or B class, in terms of their severity. X and M class are the ones to watch out for., as they are the most intense. The C and B level ones are fairly frequent and low level and probably don’t affect us that much. So, if you are experiencing headaches or migraines, breathing issues, sleeping issues (such as insomnia, interrupted sleep, not getting a full night’s rest), tingly head, irritable mood, you lose periods of time, or have odd experiences such as feeling like only a few minutes have passed and yet you look at the clock and it’s actually been an hour, or the other way around, this may be the cause. There are some things you can do to get you through such periods of intense and heightened solar / space activity. Some of them are, take salt baths, do anything that will help you relieve stress or anxiety, magnesium supplements, drink a lot of pure water, eat healthily, avoid or reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol, gentle exercise (but don’t overdo it), get out into nature, and keep away from negative people and avoid drama. This will all pass once the solar activity settles down. But at least now there may be an explanation for how you are feeling. BUT, if symptoms persist or get worse, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.
