The auroras have always appeared mesmerising and mythical to humans, however, a new study suggests that they can actually be a threat to our planet.&nbsp;

The forces which lead to the generation&nbsp;of the auroras also cause&nbsp;the formation of currents which can damage infrastructure through which electricity is conducted, like pipelines.

The scientists wrote about how harmful these auroras can be in the&nbsp;journal,&nbsp;Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.

They also noted that the impact angle of interplanetary shocks is the reason which determines the strength of the current and gives an opportunity for forecasting dangerous shocks and shielding critical infrastructure.

The article's lead author, Dr&nbsp;Denny Oliveira from&nbsp;NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre&nbsp;said, "Auroras and geomagnetically induced currents are caused by similar space weather drivers. The aurora is a visual warning that indicates that&nbsp;electric currents&nbsp;in space can generate these geomagnetically-induced currents on the ground."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/earth-witnessed-never-ever-seen-polar-rain-aurora-heres-how-this-eerie-glow-was-formed-738543">Earth witnessed never-ever-seen 'polar rain' aurora. Here's how this eerie glow was formed</a>

"The auroral region can greatly expand during severe geomagnetic storms," he added.

"Usually, its southernmost boundary is around latitudes of 70 degrees, but during&nbsp;extreme events, it can go down to 40 degrees or even further, which certainly occurred during the May 2024 storm—the most severe storm in the past two decades," said Oliveira.&nbsp;

<h2>How&nbsp;are&nbsp;auroras formed?</h2>

The auroras are created by two processes - when particles ejected from the Sun reach the magnetic field of Earth and lead to a geomagnetic storm, or when Earth's magnetic field is compressed by interplanetary shocks.

The shocks also lead to the generation of geomagnetically induced currents. This has the capacity of damaging the infrastructure which conducts electricity.&nbsp;

More powerful interplanetary shocks hint at more powerful currents and auroras.&nbsp;However, researchers noted that&nbsp;less powerful and frequent shocks can also be damaging.

"Arguably, the most intense deleterious effects on power infrastructure occurred in March 1989 following a severe geomagnetic storm—the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada was shut down for nearly nine hours, leaving millions of people with no electricity," Oliveira said.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Human spaceflight - The riskiest venture of mankind

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-human-spaceflight-the-riskiest-venture-of-mankind-737576/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"But weaker, more frequent events such as interplanetary shocks can pose threats to ground conductors over time. Our work shows that considerable geoelectric currents occur quite frequently aftershocks, and they deserve attention," he added.

The lead author further suggested, "One thing power infrastructure operators could do to safeguard their equipment is to manage a few specific electric circuits when a shock alert is issued. This would prevent geomagnetically induced currents from reducing the lifetime of the equipment."

(With inputs from agencies)

The auroras have always appeared mesmerising and mythical to humans, however, a new study suggests that they can actually be a threat to our planet. The forces which lead to the generation of the auroras also cause the formation of currents which can damage infrastructure through which electricity is conducted, like pipelines.

The auroras have always appeared mesmerising and mythical to humans, however, a new study suggests that they can actually be a threat to our planet. The forces which lead to the generation of the auroras also cause the formation of currents which can damage infrastructure through which electricity is conducted, like pipelines. The scientists wrote about how harmful these auroras can be in the journal, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. They also noted that the impact angle of interplanetary shocks is the reason which determines the strength of the current and gives an opportunity for forecasting dangerous shocks and shielding critical infrastructure. The article's lead author, Dr Denny Oliveira from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre said, "Auroras and geomagnetically induced currents are caused by similar space weather drivers. The aurora is a visual warning that indicates that electric currents in space can generate these geomagnetically-induced currents on the ground." Also Read: Earth witnessed never-ever-seen 'polar rain' aurora. Here's how this eerie glow was formed "The auroral region can greatly expand during severe geomagnetic storms," he added. "Usually, its southernmost boundary is around latitudes of 70 degrees, but during extreme events, it can go down to 40 degrees or even further, which certainly occurred during the May 2024 storm—the most severe storm in the past two decades," said Oliveira. How are auroras formed? The auroras are created by two processes - when particles ejected from the Sun reach the magnetic field of Earth and lead to a geomagnetic storm, or when Earth's magnetic field is compressed by interplanetary shocks. The shocks also lead to the generation of geomagnetically induced currents. This has the capacity of damaging the infrastructure which conducts electricity. More powerful interplanetary shocks hint at more powerful currents and auroras. However, researchers noted that less powerful and frequent shocks can also be damaging. "Arguably, the most intense deleterious effects on power infrastructure occurred in March 1989 following a severe geomagnetic storm—the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada was shut down for nearly nine hours, leaving millions of people with no electricity," Oliveira said. Watch: Gravitas: Human spaceflight - The riskiest venture of mankind "But weaker, more frequent events such as interplanetary shocks can pose threats to ground conductors over time. Our work shows that considerable geoelectric currents occur quite frequently aftershocks, and they deserve attention," he added. The lead author further suggested, "One thing power infrastructure operators could do to safeguard their equipment is to manage a few specific electric circuits when a shock alert is issued. This would prevent geomagnetically induced currents from reducing the lifetime of the equipment." (With inputs from agencies)

Mesmerising auroras can threaten planet Earth, harm critical infrastructure: Scientists

In a new study, a stunning revelation was made when currents were uncovered amid the turbulence which eerily reflected the winds flowing in the Earth's atmosphere and hinted that there can be some hidden forces which connect them.

According to a team of researchers from the University of Rostock in Germany and Kyushu University in Japan, the new discovery can help us better understand the environmental systems which circulate around the Earth. It is also likely to improve space and Earth&nbsp;weather forecasts.&nbsp;

At the top of Earth’s lower atmosphere, a layer of diffuse gases is present. This makes up the troposphere and stratosphere.&nbsp;

Larger statistical patterns are present within the swirl of winds which can be used by scientists to figure out deep mechanics of meteorology.&nbsp;

Till now, the structure of the thermosphere has remained mainly unexplored.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/elon-musks-starlink-satellites-could-deplete-earths-ozone-layer-warns-study-733305">Elon Musk's Starlink satellites could deplete Earth’s ozone layer, warns study</a>

In the new findings, patterns have been identified that reflect similar structures which have been measured far below.

"This means that both the thermosphere and the troposphere – despite having drastically different atmospheric compositions and dynamics – follow the same physical laws," said space scientist Huixin Liu, from Kyushu University.

"How the energy flows and dissipates in these two regions is very similar,” he added.'

<h2>Here's how the team analysed the winds</h2>

To reach the study’s conclusions, the cross-track winds were analysed by the team in the thermosphere with the use of satellite data from the Challenging Minisatellite Payload and the Gravity Field and Steady State Ocean Circulation Explorer.

In their analysis, the researchers used third-order structure functions which are statistical tools that help spot&nbsp;patterns in winds&nbsp;and turbulence.

The researchers observed that even though there were different conditions in each atmosphere layer, a lot of the 'rules' remained the same.

Watch:&nbsp;China's CHANG'E- 6 returns to Earth after collecting moon samples

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-change-6-returns-to-earth-after-collecting-moon-samples-735177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It was also observed that the tendency of the winds to circle in one direction was the same in the thermosphere and the lower atmosphere.

"This suggests that similar underlying large-scale turbulence mechanisms may be at play,"&nbsp;stated the researchers in their published paper.

"Similar to atmospheric weather forecasting, comprehending the energy distributions in the thermosphere is vital to advance our understanding of space dynamics,"&nbsp;Liu said.

"We hope these findings can be used to improve space weather forecasting and ensure the continued functionality and safety of satellite-based technologies essential to everyday life," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, a stunning revelation was made when currents were uncovered amid the turbulence which eerily reflected the winds flowing in the Earth's atmosphere and hinted that there can be some hidden forces which connect them.

In a new study, a stunning revelation was made when currents were uncovered amid the turbulence which eerily reflected the winds flowing in the Earth's atmosphere and hinted that there can be some hidden forces which connect them. According to a team of researchers from the University of Rostock in Germany and Kyushu University in Japan, the new discovery can help us better understand the environmental systems which circulate around the Earth. It is also likely to improve space and Earth weather forecasts. At the top of Earth’s lower atmosphere, a layer of diffuse gases is present. This makes up the troposphere and stratosphere. Larger statistical patterns are present within the swirl of winds which can be used by scientists to figure out deep mechanics of meteorology. Till now, the structure of the thermosphere has remained mainly unexplored. Also Read: Elon Musk's Starlink satellites could deplete Earth’s ozone layer, warns study In the new findings, patterns have been identified that reflect similar structures which have been measured far below. "This means that both the thermosphere and the troposphere – despite having drastically different atmospheric compositions and dynamics – follow the same physical laws," said space scientist Huixin Liu, from Kyushu University. "How the energy flows and dissipates in these two regions is very similar,” he added.' Here's how the team analysed the winds To reach the study’s conclusions, the cross-track winds were analysed by the team in the thermosphere with the use of satellite data from the Challenging Minisatellite Payload and the Gravity Field and Steady State Ocean Circulation Explorer. In their analysis, the researchers used third-order structure functions which are statistical tools that help spot patterns in winds and turbulence. The researchers observed that even though there were different conditions in each atmosphere layer, a lot of the 'rules' remained the same. Watch: China's CHANG'E- 6 returns to Earth after collecting moon samples It was also observed that the tendency of the winds to circle in one direction was the same in the thermosphere and the lower atmosphere. "This suggests that similar underlying large-scale turbulence mechanisms may be at play," stated the researchers in their published paper. "Similar to atmospheric weather forecasting, comprehending the energy distributions in the thermosphere is vital to advance our understanding of space dynamics," Liu said. "We hope these findings can be used to improve space weather forecasting and ensure the continued functionality and safety of satellite-based technologies essential to everyday life," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Is the wind on Earth being controlled by currents at the edge of space? Study hints so

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