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Magnetic storm on display

A large magnetic storm over the northern magnetic pole of a planet

A magnetic storm was both a planetary and a spatial phenomenon that posed a navigational hazard in the early days of space travel. At that time, the impulse engines were not powerful enough to resist the effects of such storms, and a starship encountering one could be swept off course.

In space[]

Around 2065, an encounter with a magnetic storm swept the SS Valiant into the galactic barrier, initiating a series of events that led to her destruction. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before")

In 2267, the USS Enterprise encountered a magnetic storm at the Halkan homeworld, while James T. Kirk and his landing party were on the surface conducting negotiations. The storm was reported by Spock to be a "standard ion type, but quite violent and unpredictable." During the beam up to the ship, interference by transporting through a magnetic storm caused the crew to transport to an alternate mirror universe. (TOS: "Mirror, Mirror")

In 2268, the Providers wanted to make the crew of the Enterprise thralls on Triskelion, destroy the ship, and let its destruction appear as being caused by a magnetic storm. (TOS: "The Gamesters of Triskelion")

Spock mentioned that no magnetic storm was located in the sector to exclude this as a possible reason for the heavy interference in communication with Starbase 6. (TOS: "The Immunity Syndrome")

In 2353, the Kohl settlement was hit by a solar flare. Magnetic storms and extreme levels of radiation followed. (VOY: "The Thaw")

In 2373, the shuttlecraft Sacajawea crashed due to a magnetic storm, while attempting to collect nitrogenase compound. Captain Kathryn Janeway was severely injured. (VOY: "Coda")

On planetary surfaces[]

Magnetic storms could also occur on the surface of some planets. On Rigel XII, they were accompanied by or cause extremely powerful sandstorms. Such a storm nearly claimed the life of Eve McHuron in 2266; only lithium miner Ben Childress' determined search located her. (TOS: "Mudd's Women")

While attempting to extract their away team from Augris' species planet in 2372, the USS Voyager hid within a large magnetic storm over the planet's northern magnetic pole to avoid the phased ion cannons of the Mokra Order. (VOY: "Resistance")

See also[]

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