Context:
Aditya L1 will function as a space weather station.
About Solar Cycle:
- Every 11 years or so, the Sun’s magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun’s north and south poles switch places.
- The solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots which are caused by the Sun’s magnetic fields.
- The beginning of a solar cycle is a solar minimum, or when the Sun has the least sunspots. Over time, solar activity—and the number of sunspots—increases.
- The middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum, or when the Sun has the most sunspots.
- Giant eruptions on the Sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, also increase during the solar cycle.
- Heightened solar activity poses a risk to satellites, spacecraft and even spacewalking astronauts due to increased radiation exposure.
- On Earth, the large geomagnetic storms that solar activity triggers can interfere with high-frequency radio communications and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejection:
- There are many kinds of eruptions on the sun. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections both involve gigantic explosions of energy.
- Both eruptions are created when the motion of the sun’s interior contorts its own magnetic fields.
- Flares and CMEs have different effects at Earth as well.
| Solar flare | Coronal Mass Ejections |
| Like the sudden release of a twisted rubber band, the magnetic fields explosively realign, driving vast amounts of energy into space. This phenomenon can create a sudden flash of light — a solar flare.The primary ways we monitor flares are in x-rays and optical light. Flares are also sites where particles (electrons, protons, and heavier particles) are accelerated.Traveling at the speed of light, it takes eight minutes for the light from a solar flare to reach Earth. | The magnetic contortions can also create a different kind of explosion that hurls solar matter into space. CMEs are sometimes associated with flares but can occur independently.Traveling over a million miles per hour, the hot material called plasma takes up to three days to reach Earth.CMEs can funnel particles into near-Earth space. |
| Effects: Geomagnetic storm Create aurora (Northern and Southern Lights) The magnetic changes can affect a variety of human technologies. High-frequency radio waves can be degraded: Radios transmit static, and GPS coordinates can be affected. The magnetic oscillations can also create electrical currents in utility grids on Earth that can overload electrical systems | |
Space weather:
- Space Weather describes the variations in the space environment between the sun and Earth.
- In particular Space Weather describes the phenomena that impact systems and technologies in orbit and on Earth.
Source: The Hindu
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Previous year question
If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Solar flares can temporarily alter the upper atmosphere creating disruptions. But it does not cause Tsunamis. It only affects the upper atmosphere. Statement 2 is incorrect.
There is no causal link between the solar flares and the deadly forest fires. Statement 5 is incorrect.
