magnetic storm

American  

noun

1. a temporary disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, induced by radiation and streams of charged particles from the sun.

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magnetic storm British  

noun

1. a sudden severe disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, caused by emission of charged particles from the sun

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magnetic storm Scientific  

1. A disturbance or fluctuation in the Earth's outer magnetosphere, usually caused by streams of charged particles (plasma) given off by solar flares. The entry of large amounts of plasma into the upper atmosphere results in intense auroral displays and other magnetic phenomena in the polar regions of the Earth.

2. See also aurora

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magnetic storm Cultural  

1. The effect on the ionosphere of large bursts of charged particles (see electrical charge) from the sun.

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Discover More

During a magnetic storm, radio reception can become very difficult.

Etymology

Origin of magnetic storm

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

magnetic storm

Colorful auroras appeared around Japan's Honshu and Hokkaido islands on May 11, 2024, sparked by an intense magnetic storm.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2024

In the heavy magnetic storm of November 1959, the moon relay got through to Hawaii when all other radio links failed.

From Time Magazine Archive

NBC, CBS, MBS constantly carried crisis news in spite of a magnetic storm which marred short-wave reception for three days and a hurricane which broke power and communication lines, flooded transmitters.

From Time Magazine Archive

The effects of the flare, a violent magnetic storm and a radio blackout, were observed from the South Pole to the Arctic and all around the equator.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus, on the 25th of September, 1841, a magnetic storm was observed in Toronto, and at the same time there was one felt at the Cape of Good Hope.

From Outlines of a Mechanical Theory of Storms Containing the True Law of Lunar Influence by Bassnett, Thomas