2023-11-14 19:24:00
Scientists are issuing warnings about an imminent super tempestuous suns which could result in a true “apocalypse” on the internet for several months. This storm, originating from solar explosions that release coronal mass (CME) towards Earth, has the potential to significantly interfere with our planet’s magnetic field.
Researcher Peter Becker, a collaborator on a project involving George Manson University and the Naval Research Laboratory in the United States, seeks to develop a system capable of alerting the population approximately 18 hours in advance, before solar particles begin to affect the field. terrestrial magnetic.
What is a solar superstorm?
What is a solar superstorm?
Becker explains that during an EMC, large eruptions of ionized gas occur at high temperatures, originating in the solar corona. When these emissions reach the Earth’s magnetic field, they can trigger geomagnetic storms, damaging communications and electrical stations.
“The event is particularly worrying now as the internet developed at a time when the Sun was relatively calm. However, we are now entering a more active phase of the solar cycle. This is the first time in history that we have had such activity solar energy so intense while society is so dependent on the internet.”
Professor Peter Becker à Fox Weather
Risks to Technological Infrastructure
Becker highlights that a similar solar superstorm already occurred in 1859. In the current context, with a society economically dependent on the internet, he fears that the coronal mass ejection could trigger a chaotic period, affecting the electrical grid, satellites, GPS and other equipment. communication.
During the Carrington Event of 1859, sparks were observed on telegraph lines, and some operators were electrocuted due to the high voltage. Becker warns that an EMC could now incapacitate systems for several weeks to months, requiring extensive infrastructure reconstruction.
According to him, the current solar cycle will reach peak in 2024, with about a 10% probability of something significant occurring in the next decade, potentially threatening the stability of the internet. It highlights the importance of advance notice to allow people to turn off their electronic devices and avoid harm.
“There are measures that can be taken to mitigate the problem, and the alert is one of them. In the long term, strengthening the internet is an economic challenge, and this project would act as an insurance policy. It may be something we will never need, but strengthening the system would cost trillions”, concludes Becker.
1700015245
#Solar #superstorm #leave #world #internet