How space weather powers auroras in the sky and threatens power grids on the ground

How auroras and solar storms can threaten power grids on Earth

Auroras linked to solar storms can trigger electric currents on Earth, threatening power grids. Research shows magnetic disturbances can reach the ground within minutes.

How space weather powers auroras in the sky and threatens power grids on the ground

Northern lights visible in Greenland. AP Photo/Evgeniy MaloletkaAn aurora is one of nature’s most spectacular light shows: It looks like green or red curtains rippling across the night sky. When viewed from the ground, this colorful display might seem far away and disconnected from anything happening on Earth’s surface. But while these beautiful displays are part of a much larger process known as “space weather” – changes in Earth’s space enviro…