31 Mar 2023

Sunspot sends solar wind towards Earth

From Morning Report, 6:23 am on 31 March 2023

A huge sunspot has unleashed a blast of solar wind racing toward Earth at nearly 3-million-kilometres an hour. 

It's expected to hit the atmosphere tonight, sparking more spectacular aurora.

Scientists are carefully monitoring the winds which can affect Earth's magnetic field, satellites, and all sorts of radio networks. 

Otago University space physicist Jonathan Squire spoke to Corin Dann.