NASA CubeSat Finds New Radiation Belts After May 2024 Solar Storm

In a visualization, Earth is shown against the blackness of space. White lines emanate out from the poles showing the planet’s magnetic field lines. Concentric rainbow-colored semicircles on either side of Earth visualize belts of trapped electrons. The second belt from Earth is colored purple to indicate it’s composed of protons as well as electrons. The third belt from Earth (rainbow color) represents the new electron belt.

Key Points The largest solar storm in two decades hit Earth in May 2024. For several days, wave after wave of high-energy charged particles from the Sun rocked the planet. Brilliant auroras engulfed the skies, and some GPS communications were temporarily disrupted. With the help of a serendipitously resurrected small NASA satellite, scientists have discovered … Continue reading NASA CubeSat Finds New Radiation Belts After May 2024 Solar Storm

NASA Science