Context:
A Major Solar Eruption (“Bird-Wing” Event) Is Set To Possibly Impact the Earth
Solar Flares:
- A tremendous explosion on the Sun that happens when energy (light and high-speed particles) stored in ‘twisted’ magnetic fields(usually above sunspots) is suddenly released.
- These flares are often associated with solar magnetic storms known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
- Characteristics –
- Heats a substance to several millions of degrees in a matter of minutes
- Produces a burst of radiation that spans the electromagnetic spectrum
- Classification (Based on brightness in X-ray wavelengths) –
- 5 different classes: A, B, C, M, and X
- Each letter represents a 10-fold increase in energy output i.e. X is ten times an M and 100 times a C. Within each letter class, there is a finer scale from 1 to 9.
- Solar activity follows a regular pattern with cycles of peaks and lows occurring every 11 years known as solar maximum and solar minimum respectively, are driven by the Sun’s magnetic field.
Geomagnetic storm:
- It refers to the disruptions to the Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar emissions such as Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) or a high-speed solar streams.
- Earth’s magnetosphere is created by magnetic field and protects us from most of the particles the sun emits.
- Earth’s magnetic field is peeled open like an onion allowing energetic solar wind particles to stream down the field lines to hit the atmosphere over the poles.
- Ranking by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – G1 (Minor) to G5 (Extreme)
- For Example, Carrington Event — a colossal solar storm in September 1859.
- Disrupted telegraph services all over the world
- Triggered auroras so bright and powerful
Source: HT
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.