Earth’s Magnetic Shield Twisted Out of Shape by Colossal Solar Burst
CMEs are generally faster than theAlfven speed, or the speed of magnetic field lines through plasma. The teams analysis of the surprising solar event waspublishedlast week inGeophysical Research Letters. The team noted that Alfven wing aurorae could occur on Earth, and could be observed in future studies. An artist’s concept of a massive solar burst, with Earth for scale.Illustration: NASA/GSFC/SDO CMEs should not be confused with solar flares, the brilliant events that can causegeomagnetic storms on Earth....