Magnetic storm
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
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. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before")
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. (TOS: "Mudd's Women")
In 2267, the USS Enterprise 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. (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")
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. (VOY: "Resistance")
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")
[edit] Further references
- TNG: "Power Play"
