We Must Be Better At Predicting Space Weather

The sun provides us with much more than light and heat. It is the most critical part of the solar system, which sustains life on Earth. However, did you know that the sun could also cause solar storms? We have been focusing on space and projects to introduce space tours soon. For instance, billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have already had a trip to space. Besides, you will also find space themes in not only movies but also gry hazardowe za darmo 77777.

Entrepreneurs are busy designing and creating spacecraft that will undoubtedly provide comfort and a lifetime space experience. For example, NASA’s new spacecraft, Orion, is built to take humans further into space than where they have been before. All of these show how the space topic is serious about paying no attention to.

However, far from the space tours, we need to get better at predicting space weather for several reasons. For starters, before people start taking those trips, then they should be aware of the weather in space and what to expect. But most importantly, we should note that any disturbances on the sun, such as coronal mass ejections formed by solar flares that originate from active sunspot areas, can result in solar storms. This can emit an immense quantity of radiation into space.

As a result, this can damage the Earth’s power and communications infrastructure, cause power outages, and reduce systems functionality. Those more affected include satellites, power grids, GPS, aviation, and space stations. Thus, as our technology becomes more enhanced and people become more aware of their surroundings, we need to get better at predicting space weather.

If you remember well, Canada’s Quebec electrical grid collapsed on 13 March 1989. The power blackout lasted nine hours and affected more than six million people. Solar storms caused this power outage.

Another powerful solar storm occurred in September 1859 and was recorded by an amateur astronomer. These days, we depend on technology too much, making it even more vulnerable to space disasters. If anything happens, then our communications and power systems would be cut off. Especially now during the pandemic, most people are left working or studying at home, relying on Zoom and other platforms. It is hard to imagine what would happen to all of us if such an event could happen.

To avoid any unexpected destructions, then former President Donald Trump signed a bill in October 2019. This bill was to support research and studies to access space weather, possible impacts and enable better coordination between agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA.

The main deal is to get warnings before the solar storms occur or before the sun shoots charged particles on our way. With advance warnings, we could push the satellites away from harm’s way and power the grids down. It is time for us to take space weather seriously. No one would like to wake up one day and find out that they can no longer communicate like we used to or find all our infrastructure down.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes