Written by Reananda Hidayat PermonoCompleted Master of Science - MS, Petroleum Geology from Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
A strong solar flare can create geomagnetic storms and significantly interrupt satellites and all communication devices on Earth.
Geomagnetic storms start as eruptions in the sun.
The sun releases big blobs of plasma into space; if it goes toward Earth, it can interact with Earth’s magnetic field and create geomagnetic storms.
The storms will disrupt grid lines and even induce currents in cables under the ocean.
Need more trivia about a solar flare? Here we go.
Could a solar flare destroy the internet? According to a research paper from the University of California, major solar storms will interfere with internet infrastructure.
Therefore, we should install undersea internet cables at lower latitudes to minimize the risk.
What happens every 11 years in the sun? The sun has a solar cycle where its magnetic field completely flips every 11 years.
What was the worst solar flare in history? The most significant solar storm, the “Carrington event,” occurred in September 1859.
What are the three biggest solar flares in history? The three biggest solar flares in history occurred in 2000 (the Bastille Day Event),
2003 (the haunting Halloween storms), and 2006 (the X-Ray sun flare for Christmas).
Can astronauts survive solar flares? Most solar protons can’t go through the body of the Space Station.
Hence, astronauts are safe as long as they stay inside.