Solar Outburst Explanation: Understanding Solar Flares and Their Impact on Mobile Communications and GPS Navigation
A powerful solar storm is heading towards Earth at a speed of 1.6 million kilometers per hour, according to NASA. This solar storm, primarily driven by a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) or a powerful solar flare, could cause significant disruptions to Earth's power systems, mobile phone and GPS signals, and the planet's magnetic field.
Impact on Earth's Power Systems:
When the solar storm strikes Earth's magnetosphere, it induces geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) within the electrical grid. These currents enter long conductive infrastructures like transformers and power lines, causing voltage fluctuations, excessive heating, and potentially catastrophic transformer damage. In extreme cases, a severe storm could cause a significant percentage of transformers to fail, potentially resulting in widespread power outages lasting from days to years depending on damage severity and repair capacity.
Impact on Mobile Phone and GPS Signals:
Solar flares and the associated bursts of solar radiation can disrupt radio communications by causing radio blackouts and signal interference. GPS systems may experience degradation or temporary loss of accuracy during solar storm events, while mobile phone communications, especially those relying on satellite or high-frequency radio links, can be interrupted or degraded during periods of intense solar activity. Airline and other sectors using polar route communications can also face short-lived blackouts or reduced communication reliability.
Effect on Earth’s Magnetic Field:
Solar storms interact with Earth's magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms—temporary disturbances in the magnetosphere. These storms are characterized by fluctuations in magnetic field intensity and direction. The interaction energizes charged particles trapped in Earth's radiation belts, which can pose additional hazards to satellites by damaging electronics or causing operational anomalies. The magnetic field's disturbance also drives the generation of GICs, linking this effect directly to power grid vulnerabilities.
The solar storm can deposit charged particles like solar protons in the upper atmosphere of Earth, causing disturbances to communication, energy transmission, and weather in the region dominated by Earth's magnetic field. Historically, solar storms have the ability to cause temporary chaos, such as a nine-hour blackout at Hydro-Quebec's electricity transmission system in Canada in March 1989.
The phenomenon is known as a geomagnetic storm, according to NASA. Solar storms are a variety of eruptions of mass and energy from the solar surface, caused by solar features and phenomena like flares, prominences, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The impact of the solar storm is expected to be centered on the sub-solar point on the sunlit side of Earth, according to the US Space Weather Prediction Centre.
One of the most notable solar storms in history, the Carrington Event in 1859, caused widespread auroras visible even in the tropics and disrupted telegraph systems worldwide. The largest solar storm ever recorded could potentially have more severe consequences in today's technology-driven world.
In the face of this approaching solar storm, it is crucial to monitor and prepare for potential disruptions. NASA and the US Space Weather Prediction Centre are closely tracking the storm and providing updates on its progress and potential impacts. As we prepare for the storm, it is essential to prioritise the protection of critical infrastructure, communication systems, and satellites to minimise the potential damage and disruptions.
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030142151400139X [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/nature10587 [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063315001020 [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063315001032 [5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063317301891
- Despite the looming threat of a solar storm, aspiring Bollywood actors in India are still striving to build their careers, unaware of the potential ripple effects the space-and-astronomy event might have on technology and daily life.
- In India's booming space-and-astronomy sector, scientists are tracking the solar storm closely, understanding its potential impact on Earth's magnetic field and rapid disruptions to technology like satellites and communication systems.
- Recently, India successfully launched its first indigenous mission to study space weather, showcasing the country's growing commitment to space technology and understanding the complexities of science, including solar storms that could potentially disrupt our careers, infrastructure, and more.
