Powerful solar storm disrupts communications
A powerful solar flare has triggered the largest space weather storm
in four years, disrupting some ground communications on earth.
![](z_Glo-p21--Powerful.jpg)
This file photo provided by NASA shows an eruptive prominence
blasting away from the sun. |
Classified as a Class X flare, the February 15 event also spewed
billions of tons of charged particles, igniting a geomagnetic storm in
the Earth’s magnetic field, University of Colorado-Boulder’s Lab for
Space Physics Director Daniel Baker said.
Such powerful ejections can disrupt airline navigation systems and
power grids to the safety of airline crews and astronauts, according to
a Colorado statement.
“The Sun is coming back to life,” said Baker, an internationally
known space weather expert.
The Sun has been in its most quiescent state since early 20th
Century, said Baker.
From a scientific standpoint, a Class X event — the most powerful
kind of solar flare — is exciting, said Baker, who is also an
astrophysicist.
“But as a society, we can’t afford to let our guard down when
operating spacecraft in the near—Earth environment.
“We understand much more about what is happening and can build more
robust systems to withstand the effects,” Baker said.
“It will be interesting to see how well our technological systems
will withstand the rigors of space weather as the Sun gets back to
higher activity levels,” Baker added.
The Hindu |