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A Cosmic Connection: The Two-Way Highway Between Earth and Sun
Context:
On April 24, 2023, a rare cosmic event unfolded, creating an extraordinary “two-way highway” between Earth and the Sun.
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This phenomenon enabled the exchange of charged particles between the two celestial bodies, resulting in a stunning display of auroras across various regions in Arizona and Arkansas (USA), as well as parts of Australia and New Zealand.
Normal Auroras vs. This Event
- Typical Auroras: Created when solar storms, caused by solar wind interacting with Earth’s magnetic field, resulting in charged particles colliding with Earth’s atmosphere.
- April 2023 Event: Unlike typical auroras, this phenomenon occurred without a solar storm. Instead, a direct connection between Earth and the Sun formed, allowing charged particles to move freely.
Key Highlights:
- NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale Spacecraft observed the event, noting that CMEs were moving faster than usual, leading to the temporary loss of the bow shock.
- Plasma was observed moving from Earth to the Sun for approximately two hours. This provided new insights into the sun-Earth connection.
- The auroras caused by this event were dim compared to the Sun’s brightness, reflecting the unusual nature of this particle exchange.
- Significance: The event provided valuable data about solar and terrestrial magnetic interactions and the dynamics of particle exchanges between Earth and the Sun.
The Science Behind the Phenomenon:
- The CME’s plasma-rich component moved faster than the Alfvén waves, which are magnetic waves travelling through plasma.
- This speed difference allowed the CME to bypass the usual protective bow shock, creating a direct path for charged particles to travel between the Earth and the Sun.
For nearly two hours, particles trapped by Earth’s magnetism found an escape route to the Sun, while solar particles made their way to Earth.