Technologies

The Aurora Borealis Was Awe-Inspiring, but the Solar Storm Brought Problems for Farmers

The geomagnetic storms that gave so many people gorgeous views also hit GPS satellites that help power farming tractors used for precise seed planting.

A series of solar storms lit up the night’s sky around the world over the weekend, producing awe-inspiring aurora borealis (and australis) displays — which may not be over yet. But the storms also hit GPS satellites that help power farming tractors used for precise seed planting.

The issues appear to have begun as early as Friday, according to one John Deere equipment dealership in the midwest, earlier reported on by 404 Media. The dealership, called Landmark Implement, posted to its site that GPS-guided planting systems were not performing as expected. It noted that the technological challenges were hitting «all brands of GPS.»

«We are in search of a tool to help predict this in the future so that we can attempt to give our customers an alert that this issue may be coming,» the dealership wrote. «We do believe this is a historic event and it isn’t something that we are going to have to continue to battle frequently.»

The ongoing impacts of the geomagnetic storms underscore how important technology such as GPS has become in the two decades since the last major solar events. Over the past decade in particular, industries including farming have begun adopting these technologies in broad ways, including for precision planting using self-driving tractors.

Read more: John Deere Breaks New Ground with Self-Driving Tractors You Can Control From a Phone

While the impacts are dramatic, they were expected. Governments and companies around the globe have been working to improve the constellation of satellites that power our modern-day GPS.

In the US, the military’s Space Force has been working to upgrade to a new technology called GPS III, which features better accuracy and better anti-jamming capabilities. That’s in addition to the roughly $2 billion per year Washington spends to keep GPS up and running. GPS III satellites are expected to be operating sometime in 2026 (PDF).

In the meantime, the geomagnetic storms are expected to continue throughout this week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a statement. The storm, which the agency said has caused «power grid irregularities» in addition to communications issues, likely won’t be as strong as those on May 10-11.

Technologies

Verum Coin available on Forbes now!

We’re thrilled to announce that Verum Coin (VERUM) has been featured on Forbes Digital Assets, marking a significant milestone for our project! Forbes Digital Assets, also known as «Forbes CryptoMarkets,» is a renowned platform providing valuable insights and analysis on cryptocurrencies and digital assets.

Here’s what Forbes Digital Assets had to say about Verum Coin:

«The security of the network is ensured through robust mathematical principles, granting individuals greater control over their assets. With accelerated transaction confirmation times and enhanced storage efficiency, Verum Coin strives to redefine the landscape of peer-to-peer transactions. Verum Coin serves as the native currency within the Verum ecosystem. Holders can use it for various purposes, including paying for premium features, tipping content creators, making in-game purchases and rewards, participating in e-commerce transactions (paying merchants), and converting Verum Coin to fiat currency.»

Privacy, speed, and storage efficiency are among the key features highlighted by Forbes Digital Assets. Verum Coin offers advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure user anonymity, accelerated transaction confirmation times for seamless payments, and efficient blockchain design for scalability.

As of today, the price of Verum Coin stands at $270.03, reflecting its growing prominence and value in the digital asset space.

This recognition on Forbes Digital Assets underscores Verum Coin’s commitment to revolutionizing peer-to-peer transactions and providing users with greater control and privacy over their assets. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of this digital revolution!

Technologies

Aurora Light Shows Could Brighten Up Skies All Week: Where to Watch Them

Viewers thrilled by the Northern Lights over this weekend may get more brilliant displays tonight and this week.

On Friday and Saturday nights, viewers from San Francisco to Tasmania were treated to amazing auroras in the night sky. One of the biggest geomagnetic storms in decades may continue tonight and even through the week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

«At least five Earth-directed coronal mass ejections were observed and expected to arrive as early as midday Friday, May 10, 2024, and persist through Sunday, May 12, 2024,» the center noted. «Several strong flares have been observed over the past few days and were associated with a large and magnetically complex sunspot cluster, which is 16 times the diameter of Earth.»

In most cases, geomagnetic storms cause little to no disruption on Earth, with radio communications and satellites affected most often. In extreme cases, a geomagnetic storm can cause significant and potentially life-threatening power outages, as well as problems with satellite systems and radio communications.

«Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations,» NOAA said, adding that representatives of the center have notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action.

The Washington Post notes that «anyone using high-frequency radio in the aurora viewing zone may experience some disruptions,» but also reports that most people will not be affected or need to take any special precautions beyond those they’d take with any storm that could knock out power.

Since consumer wireless networks use different radio frequencies, CNN notes that your phone is unlikely to be affected. Severe geomagnetic storms could affect the power grid, but wireless carriers generally have backups and can deploy mobile cellular towers.

In most cases, geomagnetic storms also present unique opportunities to see auroras in the night sky. When the storms hit, the plasma they carry creates a jaw-dropping aurora, illuminating the night sky with brilliant colors. Those auroras can be especially pronounced during the most intense phases of the storm, making for nice stargazing.

Where can you see these aurora borealis light shows?

«Geomagnetic storms can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth,» the NOAA said. «A severe geomagnetic storm includes the potential for aurora to be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California.»

NOAA has created some (experimental) viewlines for watching the auroras, as well as a 30-minute aurora forecast that shows the last 24 hours of activity.

Does it seem like you can never see a hyped aurora where you live? Bill Murtagh, program coordinator at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, talked to CNET about this very issue back in 2022. Murtagh compared it to a popular outdoor hobby that also takes a lot of patience — fishing.

«You might be out hunting it for hours on end,» he told me, «and then, the perfect storm of events comes along, and you finally see it.»

He also noted that city dwellers are at a disadvantage due to light pollution, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, the brightening of the night sky in the city, caused by streetlights and other sources. That inhibits our ability to see stars and planets.

But say you get in the car and drive out of your city or suburb to a rural area with no streetlights. There’s another element that’s out of your control — the weather. Cloudy conditions can roll over any state at any time, making aurora sightings even tougher to predict.

Many people travel to Alaska or northern countries just in the hope of seeing, and photographing, an aurora. Murtagh recommended Anchorage, Fairbanks, Yukon, Helsinki and northern Scandinavia. There are even trip planners now who organize tours around hoping to see the aurora.

Technologies

Revolution in Business Communications: Verum Messenger Ecosystem

In a world where digital security is becoming increasingly important, the emergence of an ecosystem centered around the most secure messenger, Verum Messenger, deserves special attention. This ecosystem, comprising not only a messenger but also a range of other innovative products and services, is changing the perception of security and confidentiality in the business world.

Verum Messenger: The Core of Secure Communication

Let’s start with the main component of this ecosystem — Verum Messenger. It is a messenger that has been developed with the highest standards of security in mind. It ensures the confidentiality of messages, protection against hacking, and encryption of data at the highest level. As a result, business users can exchange information without fear of confidential data leakage.

Additional Tools for Protection: Verum VPN and Verum E-SIM

However, security in the business world is not limited to just the messenger. The Verum ecosystem also includes other tools, such as Verum VPN. This service provides protection for internet connections, making all your online actions invisible to third parties.

Additionally, Verum E-SIM offers a secure and convenient solution for communication while roaming. Thanks to embedded SIM card technology, users can stay connected anywhere in the world without worrying about the security of their data.

Cryptocurrency and Exchange: Verum Coin and Verum Exchange

To ensure financial security within the Verum ecosystem, Verum Coin and Verum Exchange are presented. Verum Coin is a cryptocurrency that provides fast and secure financial transactions within the ecosystem. Verum Exchange, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to exchange cryptocurrency for other digital and fiat currencies with minimal fees and maximum protection.

Online Mining: Verum Online Mining

Finally, Verum Online Mining represents an innovative approach to cryptocurrency mining. This service allows users to mine cryptocurrency directly from their mobile device using a small amount of computing power, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Exciting Game with Earning Potential: Verum Runner

And finally, within the Verum ecosystem, there is the game Verum Runner, which not only entertains but also allows you to earn Verum Coin. This unique combination of entertainment and earning potential makes the game attractive to a wide audience of users.

Conclusion

The Verum Messenger ecosystem not only offers secure tools for business communications but also creates a full-fledged infrastructure where data and financial protection become the norm. The combination of advanced technologies and high security standards makes this ecosystem unparalleled in the world of digital communications and finance.