Solar Storm
Everything you need to know about Solar Storm.
Table of Content
1. Introduction
2. What is Solar storm?
3. Solar storm types
- 3.1. Solar flare
- 3.2. Coral mass ejection
- 3.3. Geomagnetic storm
- 3.4. Solar particle events
4. Solar Storm Disadvantages
5. What happens in a Solar storm
6. Latest Solar storm news
7. Causes of solar storm
8. Conclusion
9. Frequently asked questions
Introduction
Solar Storm is a disturbance that occurs in the Sun. knowing about solar storm, you might be thinking how actually its caused. Isn’t it? Not one or two, there can be various causes of solar storm. Irrespective of the reasons, we know that anyhow it affects the weather of the earth.
Although there are various types of solar storms that occurs on Sun. All of them have direct impact the Earth surface. Go through this article to have a clear understanding of Solar Storm.
What is a Solar Storm?
In other words, a Solar Storm is known as a space weather event. It is a disturbance that occurs on the Sun. It has a huge effect on the Sun's activity. As a result, this also affects the space environment and Earth's weather. The main reason for the occurrence of Solar storms is the magnetic activity of the sun.
Solar Storm Types
Mainly, the Solar Storm is categorized into four types. They are:
Solar flare
A solar flare can be defined as a form of huge light. A solar flare occurs when there is a sudden sunburst. This exposes a huge amount of heat that comes up as a flash. The heat thus exposed is highly powerful. But Solar flares may not always consist of Coronal mass ejections. In some cases, it's possible but not always.
Coral mass ejection
It is a flash that is exposed to the sun. It comes out in the form of light that includes plasma as well. Other than plasma, in some cases it also consists of solar corona. The solar corona is even accompanied by a magnetic field.
Geomagnetic storm
Geomagnetic storms are not permanent, it occurs sometimes. It is a type of storm that affects the earth's weather meaning that it is caused by the earth's surface. This type of storm mainly occurs when the solar wind on the wave of a cloud's magnetic field comes in contact with the Earth's magnetic field.
Solar particle events
A solar particle event is also known as a solar proton event. Solar particle events mainly occur when the particles emitted by the Sun are increased due to coronary mass ejection shocks or the flares that happen near the Sun.
Solar Storm Disadvantages
There are various disadvantages of Solar Storm which one must know. They are as follows:
- When CMEs carry high-energy particles, they cause radiation. The radiation is thus exposed as a gas that seems poisonous to both humans and animals.
- Solar Storms can cause blackouts which is harmful for technologies on Earth.
- It can cause radiation that is harmful to the human body.
- Solar Storm holds the capacity to throw the satellite directly on the earth's face.
- When CMEs hit the Earth's surface, the magnetic field is disturbed.
What happens in a Solar Storm?
Solar storms can have a huge impact on Earth. It disrupts satellites by releasing radiation. It even is dangerous for all types of electronic devices. In 1859, a massive solar eruption occurred that affected various railway signals and telephonic lines.
In 1989, a Solar Storm caused a 9-hour blackout for about a million people in the Canadian province of Quebec. In the year 2011, a Solar Storm interfered with radio communications in China. In 2017, it disrupted GPS navigation systems on Earth.
Latest Solar Storm News
Here are some of the recent news related to Solar Storm.
- Solar storm when occurs, and around 40 SpaceX satellites fall out of orbit.
- NASA predicted a warning on the future's impact due to Solar Storm. Yet, the time and date are not found.
- Solar Storms cause a blackout over the Indian Ocean.
Causes of Solar Storm
As we all know, the Sun is not only a glowing ball. Rather it holds a huge energy inside it. sometimes, the entire energy sums up and causes a Solar Storm. The very main reason for Solar Storms is the solar flare. Solar flares send a huge amount of energy and light into space which sometimes causes storms.
Another reason is the coronal mass ejections. When CMEs happen, they send energy to Earth. When these energies strike the planet, they create a mess with the technology and power grids leading to Solar Storms.
Conclusion
By now, you will surely have a brief understanding on Solar Storm. It is basically a natural phenomenon that happens due to the huge energy released by Sun. Solar storms have a huge impact on Earth. They have the power to disrupt satellites, communications systems and more.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. What is the major cause of the occurrence of Solar Storm?
Ans- The magnetic activity is mainly responsible for the occurrence of Solar storms. Magnetic activity includes the exposure of energies and charged particles.
Q2. Does Solar Storm have any huge impact on Earth?
Ans- Solar Storms not only have an impact on Earth but also impacts the Earth's technology. Solar Storm interferes with the navigation, communication systems, satellites, and power grids to affect Earth's technology.
Q3. Is the timing and intensity of the Solar Storm predictable?
Ans- Scientists yet find it challenging to find the exact time and intensity of the occurrence of Solar storms. But it happens in a cycle of 11 years. During this phase, the changes in Solar storms occurring are high and frequent.
Q4. Does Solar storms have any impact on humans?
Ans- Although solar storms directly don’t harm humans. But they indirectly somehow may affect the communications and power systems which harms humans as well. The astronauts in space at high altitudes may have to deal with huge radiations releases during the solar activity.