Solar storms can result in beautiful Aurora Borealis views, but they can also disrupt power grids and communication systems. A pair of massive solar flares will blast the Earth with a storm of particles late Friday, painting parts of the night sky with an Aurora Borealis and potentially disrupting satellite and cell phone signals.Besides generating beautiful auroras, such storms can damage power infrastructure — a series of powerful solar storms in October 2003 damaged power grids in both Europe and Africa, Murtagh noted. Power grid operators have already been warned about this week's storms and are taking precautions.The storm may also cause problems in getting satellites oriented the right way, and may cause high-frequency radio disruptions in northern latitudes.
