What actually happens when the Sun sends a powerful storm our way? ☀️ When the Sun erupts, it can release an intense solar flare followed by a fast-moving cloud of energised gas called a coronal mass ejection. Travelling at thousands of kilometres per second, these eruptions can disturb Earth’s magnetic field, accelerate energetic particles and trigger geomagnetic storms. On the ground, that can mean temporary radio interference, navigation issues and dazzling auroras. Thanks to our atmosphere and magnetic shield, these events don’t pose direct biological risks to people - but they can affect satellites and infrastructure in space and on Earth. That’s why we continuously monitors the Sun through our space weather network and why missions like Vigil, heading to Lagrange Point 5, will give us earlier and more detailed warnings of incoming solar activity. We’re watching the Sun so you don’t have to. 📹 @europeanspaceagency 🎞️ ESA/@NASA; SOHO (ESA & NASA); SDO/AIA; Solar Orbiter/EUI...