What is a Geomagnetic Storm and How Does it Affect Earth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of geomagnetic storms, their causes, and their effects on Earth, particularly in relation to solar activity and space weather phenomena. Participants seek clarification on the terminology and the relationship between geomagnetic storms and solar storms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about geomagnetic storms and their relation to recent events affecting Earth.
  • Another participant expresses confusion over the term "geomagnetic," indicating a lack of familiarity with the concept.
  • A participant suggests that the inquiry may relate to a geomagnetic storm caused by a solar coronal mass ejection, which resulted in auroras.
  • A later reply provides a detailed definition of geomagnetic storms, explaining their cause as disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere due to solar activity, while also clarifying that geomagnetic storms are not the same as solar storms.
  • There is a correction regarding the relationship between geomagnetic storms and solar storms, emphasizing that geomagnetic storms are triggered by solar activity rather than producing it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the terminology and the relationship between geomagnetic storms and solar storms, indicating some confusion and differing levels of understanding.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of geomagnetic storms and solar storms remain unresolved, and there is a lack of clarity regarding the specific events being referenced.

timacho
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can somebody explain to me what is geomagnetic that recently run down to earth?
i really want to know.
 
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I'm sorry, what are you referring to? I've never heard of a geomagnetic.
 
i'm really sorry if i got it wrong. but, i just want to know about something at the space that fall to earth, and produce solar storm.i don't really know what it is.
 
Maybe he is referring to the geomagnetic storm that was caused by a solar coronal mass ejection and caused the aurora borealis on January 24?
 
Here is an excerpt from an article that explains it in detail.

Geomagnetic storm
A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere caused by a disturbance in the interplanetary medium. A geomagnetic storm is a major component of space weather and provides the input for many other components of space weather. A geomagnetic storm is caused by a solar wind shock wave and/or cloud of magnetic field which interacts with the Earth's magnetic field.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetic_storm

Timacho, please note that the geomagnetic storm does not produce a solar storm. Quite the opposite. The geomagnetic storm itself is caused by solar activity. It is
called "geomagnetic" [geo=earth] because it is triggered when the solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic field.
 
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