A solar storm is expected to hit Earth on Tuesday, leading to the potential disruption of GPS and radio signals - and experts say there are more to come.
While it’s not expected to disrupt humankind too much, experts predict it could lead to some minor geomagnetic storms.
US-based space weather physicist, Dr Tamitha Skov, said the impact of a “snake-like filament” from the sun will be a “direct hit” on Earth.
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“Amateur radio and GPS users should expect signal disruptions on Earth’s nightside,” she said in a tweet.
NASA predicts the storm will impact Earth on July 19.
However, it is possible the storm may not hit until later in the week, according to the SpaceWeather website.
It suggests the G1-class storm could hit the Earth on July 20 or 21.
Although it was expected to be “minor”, SpaceWeather said it could still impact satellite operations.
Dr Sebastian Voltmer - who has been monitoring the storm - told SpaceWeather the enormous structure had broken away from the sun.
“The sheer size of the prominence is impressive,” he said.
“It was spectacular to see a very fast moving part of it ejecting and detaching to the side.”
These eruptions are capable of releasing 100,000 times more energy than all the power plants on Earth can generate in a year, experts say.
Australian National University astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker told 7NEWS.com.au we are likely to see more of these types of storms due to the sun’s current cycle.
“These types of storms are not rare, and because the sun has an 11-year cycle, with periods of more or less activity, and at the moment there is more activity,” he said.
“So while the disruption from this particular storm should be minimal, we do worry about these larger storms resulting in satellite interference.”
By Katie Hunt CNN / Technology
By Rachel Fadem CNN / News
By Wilson Wong NBC / Entertainment
By Ashley Strickland CNN / Space
By Katie Hunt CNN / Technology
By Rachel Fadem CNN / News
By Wilson Wong NBC / Entertainment
By Ashley Strickland CNN / Space