It seems like there's a major solar
flare somewhere in the sky every single day, especially if you live in the
Northern Hemisphere. There are many different versions of what will happen if a
solar flare actually makes it to Earth. Learning about these scenarios can be
very confusing for people who worry about extraterrestrial life, as well as for
anyone looking for easy information on how things might play out.
Earth
has been hit by a solar storm many times in history. Past solar storms have
caused severe damage to satellites, electric grids and power stations –
including one in 1989 which cost up to $2 billion. How much would it affect our
everyday lives if a major solar storm were to strike Earth?
1. GPS and other communications systems will shut down
If
a solar flare hits Earth, GPS and other communications systems will go down.
The
sun is our closest star, and it constantly emits radiation—including
ultraviolet (UV) rays and X-rays. This radiation can cause damage to satellites
and spacecraft. A powerful solar flare can cause irreparable damage to GPS
systems, which are used for navigation and communication.
If
an intense solar flare hits Earth, it could cause widespread problems with GPS
signal reception. This would be especially problematic for autonomous vehicles
that rely on GPS signals to navigate safely around the world.
It's
possible that a strong solar storm could knock out power systems throughout the
world. In addition to GPS receivers being rendered useless by the
electromagnetic pulse (EMP), power grids may experience blackouts as well.
2. Power grids would be fried by the EMP
If
a solar flare hits Earth, it could fry our power grids. The most likely target
would be the eastern seaboard of the United States, which is home to a large
proportion of our solar panels and other electrical infrastructure.
The
intense magnetic field produced by the flare would cause a massive surge in
current that could potentially destroy transformers, power lines and rail
tracks. If this happens, it will take weeks or months for electricity supplies
to be restored.
The
best way to protect against an EMP attack is to build your own backup generator
system and keep it well maintained.
3. Your cell phone might get fried, too
If
a solar flare hits Earth, it may cause an intense geomagnetic storm that could
affect the electrical grid and even the power grid in your area. This can cause
problems for your cell phone, which relies on the power grid for its signals
and data. In fact, if you have a smartphone with a built-in radio transmitter,
you could lose reception as well as power to your device if solar flares hit
Earth hard enough.
4. Aircraft might get knocked out of the sky
The
Sun is a huge ball of plasma, and it's not just the Sun that can affect our
planet — it's also charged particles from the Sun. These charged particles can
travel at speeds up to 1,500 miles per second (2,414 kilometers per second) and
impact Earth if they come in contact with our atmosphere.
If
a solar flare hits Earth at just the right angle, it could bring down aircraft.
The Earth's magnetic field isn't strong enough to protect it from flares with
speeds greater than 500 miles per second (805 kilometers per second). This
means any plane flying through such an event would be at risk of losing power
as they fly through it.
5. Satellites will also be in trouble
5.
Satellites will also be in trouble
A
solar flare can cause satellites to crash into each other and even fry your
internet connection.
The
last time a solar flare hit Earth, the satellite communications industry was in
shambles. The so-called "Carrington Event" of 1859-60 was the last
time a coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth's magnetosphere and sent
shockwaves through the solar system. The CME hit Earth on September 22, 1859,
causing auroras as far south as Cuba and north to Quebec.
The
event was so powerful that telegraph operators all over North America reported
receiving messages from Europe at the same time — though they received them on
different frequencies due to their different locations on the planet.
6. Some animals might escape while they can
6.
Some animals might escape while they can.
If
a solar flare hits Earth, some animals may be able to escape to higher ground
or underground. But if the event is intense enough, there could be no escape
for them at all. In this case, many species would be wiped out by the extreme
weather conditions that follow the flare.
This
includes birds and other small animals who live in the open or in areas where
there are few trees. They would have little chance to survive because their
bodies are not designed for such long durations of exposure to heat and light
without shelter.
In
contrast, large animals like elephants, rhinos and giraffes can move around
more easily than smaller creatures because of their large size and thick skin.
These animals are also more resistant to extreme temperatures than smaller
creatures so they can withstand an event like this better than others might do.
7. The Northern Lights could be illuminated even more
brightly than normal
There
are several theories about how a solar flare might affect the Northern Lights —
some say that the magnetic field around our planet would be distorted and cause
more geomagnetic storms, while others say that radiation from the flare would
create more aurora borealis in areas where there are no clouds (which is rare).
Either way, if you're looking for a night out under the stars with friends or
family this winter season, keep your eyes peeled for any unusual northern
lights activity in your area.
Conclusion:
More
observatories should be built to study solar flares. These solar storms are
more common than most people realize, and they can have a disastrous effect on
our way of life. While it isn't likely that Planet Earth will be decimated by a
powerful solar flare in the near future, it's critical that humanity starts preparing
for this threat. The warning signs are already there—it's only a matter of time
before another X-class flare hits us right in the face.
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