Magnetic storm

A magnetic storm is 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 ship encountering one could be swept off course.

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. 

Magnetic storms can also occur on the surface of some planets. On Rigel XII, they are 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. 

In 2267, the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) encountered a magnetic storm at the Halkan homeworld, while James 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 caused by transporting through a magnetic storm caused the crew to transport to an alternate mirror universe. 

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. 

While attempting to extract their personnel from the Mokra homeworld in 2372, the USS Voyager hid within a large magnetic storm over the planet's northern magnetic pole to avoid the Mokra's phased ion cannons. 

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

Further references


Magnetsturm