The Earth is expected to be hit by a geomagnetic storm this week, around the autumnal equinox.
A sunspot exploded on Sunday, causing a coronal mass ejection (CME) on a trajectory towards Earth.
According to Space.com, the solar plasma, which is propelled toward the planet at 650,000 miles per hour, is expected to pass through the magnetosphere on Wednesday.
Geomagnetic storm hits Earth, creating auroras and disrupting radio communications
A view of the Sun through a solar telescope, showing solar prominences, sunspots and filaments. (Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The CME will occur near the autumnal equinox on September 22, which could trigger a geomagnetic storm in parts of the world.
On the spring and autumn equinoxes, the Earth’s magnetic poles align with the Sun’s magnetic poles, making geomagnetic storms more likely to occur.
Northern Lights may be visible in parts of the US this week after “intense solar activity”
Geomagnetic storms can cause communication disruptions and power outages.
At high altitudes, this phenomenon can cause the “aurora borealis” effect, lighting up the night sky with brilliant colors.
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The aurora was photographed in Mukilteo, Washington, during a geomagnetic storm earlier this year. (Scott Sistek via Fox Weather)
Earlier this summer, after the most powerful geomagnetic storm in two decades, the dancing lights of the aurora borealis were visible across the United States, even in some southern states.
Fox News Digital’s Sydney Borchers contributed to this report.