Context:
Recently, an X-class Solar Flare led to a radio blackout in parts of the US, Pacific Ocean.
About 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.
About 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: Down to Earth
If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?
- GPS and navigation systems could fail.
- Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
- Power grids could be damaged.
- Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
- Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
- Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
- 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]
- 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
- 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
- 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
