Propagation of corotating interaction region (CiR) Source: European Space Agency (ESA)
A “One-Two” Punch from Above and Below
A CIR is a corotating compression region between fast- and slow-moving solar wind streams. The effect is an after-shock in succession to the first punch of a CME. A spiral is created as SpaceX launches 2 Spy Satellites as the payload of a single rocket.
CO-ROTATING INTERACTION REGION:
NOAA forecasters say that G2-class geomagnetic storms are possible on March 25-26, when a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) is expected to hit Earth. CIRs are transition zones between fast- and slow-moving streams of solar wind. They contain shock waves akin to CMEs. Today’s CIR is powered by a giant hole in the sun’s atmosphere.
(Dark regions on the Sun represent areas where solar energy was cast off. In this case, the effect is an Earth-directed blast that creates the winds of a solar storm. Click image for enlargement.)
