Earth avoids solar storm damage, so far

One of the strongest solar storms in years engulfed Earth early yesterday but scientists say the planet may have lucked out.

Hours after the storm arrived, officials said there were no reports of problems with power grids, GPS, satellites or other technologies that are often disrupted by solar storms.

But that still can change as the storm shakes the planet’s magnetic field in ways that could disrupt technology but also spread colourful northern lights.