GEOMAGNETIC STORMS

GEOMAGNETIC STORMS

A geomagnetic storm is a significant disruption of the magnetosphere around Earth that happens when energy from the solar wind is efficiently exchanged into the space environment. These storms are caused by variations in the solar wind, which cause significant shifts in the Earth's magnetosphere's fields, plasmas, and currents. The solar wind conditions that are most effective in generating geomagnetic storms are high-speed solar wind that lasts for several to many hours and, most importantly, a magnetic field at the dayside of the magnetosphere that is directed southward, against the direction of Earth's field. Energy from the solar wind can be effectively transferred into Earth's magnetosphere under these conditions.

Largest storms resulting from these conditions are linked to solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs), in which Earth is visited by roughly a billion tonnes of plasma from the sun that has an embedded magnetic field. Although CMEs usually take several days to reach Earth, some of the strongest storms have been known to arrive in as little as 18 hours. A high-speed solar wind stream (HSS) is another solar wind disturbance that fosters the conditions necessary for geomagnetic storms. HSSs form co-rotating interaction regions, or CIRs, as they plunge into the slower solar wind in front. These areas are frequently associated with geomagnetic storms, which can deposit more energy in the Earth's magnetosphere over a longer period of time than CME storms, despite being less powerful.

Storms also cause intense currents in the magnetosphere, changes in the radiation belts, and ionosphere changes, which include heating of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere region known as the thermosphere. In space, a ring of westward current around Earth causes magnetic disturbances on Earth. The disturbance storm time (Dst) index, which measures this current, has traditionally been used to characterise the size of a geomagnetic storm. In addition, currents produced in the magnetosphere that follow the magnetic field, known as field-aligned currents, connect to intense currents in the auroral ionosphere. These auroral currents, known as auroral electrojets, also cause significant magnetic disturbances. All of these currents, along with the magnetic deviations they cause on the ground, are combined to create a planetary geomagnetic disturbance index known as Kp. This index serves as the foundation for one of three NOAA Space Weather Scales, the Geomagnetic Storm, or G-Scale, which describes space weather that has the potential to disrupt Earth's systems.

During storms, ionosphere currents and energetic particles that precipitate into the ionosphere add energy in the form of heat, increasing the density and distribution of density in the upper atmosphere and causing additional drag on low-earth orbiting satellites. Local heating causes significant horizontal variations in ionospheric density, which can alter the path of radio signals and cause errors in GPS positioning information. While storms produce beautiful auroras, they can also disrupt navigation systems like the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and cause harmful geomagnetic induced currents (GICs) in power grids and pipelines.

WHAT IS A BACON NUMBER ?

Bacon Number – Six Degrees of Bacon

The term "bacon number" describes a person's connection to the online phenomenon known as "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." The premise of the idea is that, in six easy steps or less, every person in Hollywood can be connected to actor Kevin Bacon through their film roles. In a game, players must attempt to connect the actor or actress with Kevin Bacon in the shortest amount of steps. It is also possible to play this game as a trivia game. An actor's name is provided, and the respondent must explain how they are related to Kevin Bacon.

The Bacon An actor's or actress's number indicates how far away they are from Kevin Bacon. The actor is farther away from Kevin the higher the number they receive. In the game, Kevin's number is 0. The top spot would belong to an actor who has collaborated with him on a film. An actor would have two if they have collaborated with another actor who has worked closely with Kevin.

Merely 12% of actors possess an undefined number, indicating that they are inextricably linked to Kevin. At first, Kevin Bacon was against this game, but as time passed, he came to find it flattering that so many people could be associated with him.

Kevin Bacon has collaborated with numerous renowned actors and actresses and appeared in numerous motion pictures. An actor's Bacon number is practically a measure of their level of fame. Directors, writers, and other members of the production team who have collaborated with Kevin on projects can also use these numbers if they have collaborated with him on acting assignments. Kevin Bacon can be connected to a lot of actors in six steps or less. Given that Kevin has starred in numerous high-caliber films, an actor's Bacon number usually indicates how good of a role they have played.

See the Oracle of Bacon to determine the bacon number of any actor or actress! Kevin Bacon performing Six Degrees of Bacon in a video Kevin Bacon, an actor, is an excellent sportsman. In this hilarious video, watch him play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

We celebrate and honour the various cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders (AAPI), and their descendants during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

On the other hand, the AAPI community, which experiences severe health disparities and access issues, needs to be made acutely aware of the significance of addressing health equity, diversity, and inclusion during this month-long celebration. As a community, we must recognise and resolve the health disparities that exist and make investments in a future in which every person has an equal chance to prosper and realise their full potential.

In our capacity as members of the UC Davis Health Asian Pacific American Alliance Systemwide (APASA) Employee Resource Group (ERG), we are thrilled to share this wonderful month with you all.

This month, there are plenty of opportunities to take part in both on- and off-site events that will increase awareness, advance mutual understanding, and strengthen community ties.