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

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

Associated with the current high sunspot activity, the magnetic storm caused transatlantic telephone communication by short-wave radio to go haywire.

From Time Magazine Archive

It all reflected, said Dr. A. G. McNish, authority on the earth's magnetism, in Washington last week for a meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the worst magnetic storm in a century.

From Time Magazine Archive

From the 28th of August to the 4th of September, 1859, a magnetic storm of unparalleled intensity, extent, and duration, was in progress over the entire globe.

From A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century Fourth Edition by Clerke, Agnes M. (Agnes Mary)