Historic Solar Storms Produce Worldwide HF Radio Blackouts

A series of powerful solar storms not seen in more than two decades has produced colourful auroras throughout the world (seen in some southern regions of the US where auroras are never visible), lighting up Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis. Someone has unplugged the HF bands. Some hams are getting through on HF and reporting choppy band conditions; others are finding work to do on the bench or tackling their honey-do lists. GPS and other navigation systems are being watched; Satellites in high orbit have been at risk for damage; satellites in lower orbits are having those orbits compromised and the massive Starlink constellation reported degradation in service. On the bright side, at least it’s not the Carrington Event, the worst solar storm ever in the history of the planet. The 19th-century storm took down telegraph systems and sent auroras into places where they were previously unseen.