It is being reported that there is a tremendous solar storm heading towards earth and the extreme radiation is expected to meddle with the power grids.
The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), which is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), stated in a Thursday statement that the storm has the potential to lead to “power system voltage irregularities.”
Spacecraft could also “experience surface charging” which can cause hazardous discharges of excess electrons. On the other hand, low Earth-orbit satellites could experience “orientation problems” due to increased drag. This can also affect the GPS systems.
This event will mark the sun going through its highest point of activity during its 11-year cycle. The ozone layer might protect us from harmful radiation, but it cannot keep the radiation from meddling with the electrical networks widely spread on the planet.
According to NASA, one flare got so intense last month that it passed as an X1-class flare upon detection. This implies that the radiation was way more intense than average.
The solar system is causing the emergence of auroras or northern lights, across stretches of North America already as well. It was mentioned in the SWPC’s statement that auroras “may be seen as low as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon.”
These radiations getting stronger by the day will soon pose a very real danger to astronauts in space. Hence, this solar storm might not affect the planet as much but might be deadly for the astronauts in space.