The catastrophe of the solar magnetic storm is all the talk on the Internet right now. It's like the December 21, 2012 "End of the World" scare again.
The topic is the hottest discussion on TikTok and has even caught media attention in many countries. There is even an ongoing mass hysteria about an Internet blackout once a strong solar storm hits the Earth.
So, what's really with the solar storm deal?
What is a Solar Magnetic Storm?
A solar magnetic storm, or a coronal mass ejection (CME), occurs when the sun belches out a billion-ton of superheated plasma into space. The emission's high energy lets it travel across great lengths, reaching planets like Earth in its journey across the void.
Earth is no stranger to magnetic solar storms. After all, this is not its first rodeo.
A destructive solar storm once hit the Earth in 1859, causing fires at telegraph stations and frying most electrical equipment in Redhill, London. The incident was later dubbed as the "Carrington Event."
Another huge solar storm happened in 1989 in Quebec, Canada, that caused an electrical blackout for 12 hours. It did less damage than the Carrington event since the CME was weaker at the time.
Yet, scientists warn that a strong solar storm, as strong or far greater than the Carrington Event, could happen one day. If it does, everything that relies on electrical power will be greatly affected and may cause an international disaster.
The risk of a solar storm's damage becomes greater when the sun is at peak activity, which will reach its peak between January and October 2024.
When Will the Solar Storm Happen?
There is no definitive date when the strong solar storm could possibly hit Earth. Scientists employ geographic data, satellite feeds, and historical records to predict possible solar storms but not totally accurate yet.
NASA is currently using AI technology to better predict the occurrence of a solar storm in the future. They are prepared to notify major cities if an event ever happens soon.
Although scientists did say of higher risks of damage a solar storm does during the sun's maximum, people at NASA do not think something as strong as the solar storm 164 years ago could hit the Earth in this sun cycle.
Also Read: Solar Maximum Expected To Hit Early 2024 - Here's What To Expect
How to Prepare for a Solar Storm?
If ever a powerful solar magnetic storm occurs soon, national governments are already prepared on what to do.
In the U.S., the government an executive order to coordinate with space stations to alert the people early and minimize damages. Electronic wires are also continuously strengthened to protect it from such disasters.
If a strong solar storm did occur, it is advised to be careful in handling electric devices. Solar storms are known to cause power surges in devices and machines that run on electricity.
It is recommended to use surge protectors, like those they use in thunderstorms, to protect plugged devices from going haywire from the sun's plasma rays.
Regularly checking electrical sockets and devices can also help prevent future disasters, solar storms or not.
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