A solar storm is a disturbance in space weather caused by the Sun releasing large amounts of energy, radiation, and charged particles
- Solar Flare: A sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. Travels at the speed of light.
- Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): Massive eruption of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun. Takes 1–3 days to reach Earth. The main cause of severe geomagnetic storms.
Impact of Solar Storms
- Satellites & Space Infrastructure: Energetic particles damage sensitive electronic components. Furthermore, the radiation heats and expands Earth’s upper atmosphere, increasing atmospheric drag. This causes Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to lose altitude prematurely.
- Navigation and Communication: Disruptions to the ionosphere interfere with GPS signals, satellite TV, and mobile networks. It specifically halts high-frequency (HF) shortwave radio communication used by aircraft flying over polar regions.
- Terrestrial Power Grids: The changing magnetic field induces Geomagnetic Induced Currents (GICs) in the ground. These low-frequency currents flow into high-voltage transmission lines, causing power grid overloads, voltage instability, and catastrophic damage to transformers (e.g., the 1989 Hydro-Québec blackout).
- Astronaut Safety: Space weather exposes astronauts (e.g., on the ISS) and passengers on high-altitude polar flights to elevated levels of radiation.
- Spectacular Auroras: Charged particles colliding with atmospheric gases create intense Aurora Borealis and Australis, pushing them down to much lower latitudes than normal.
Source: The Hindu