When we hear about storms, we immediately remember gusts of wind, thunder, lightning, lightning and lots of rain. However, the term does not apply only to this natural event recorded on Earth. The explosion of superheated particles on the Sun's surface can generate winds and a phenomenon known as Solar storm or solar eruption.
The activities developed in the Sun's core cause a very large production of energy through the Nuclear fusion. In this process, protons and electrons are released, which are attracted and accumulated in magnetic fields. The high concentration of these particles causes explosions, which, in turn, produce winds that can reach the planets of the Solar System. These storms most often occur during the period known as the solar maximum, that is, when the Sun is at its peak of magnetic activity, which happens every 11 years.
In some cases, such storms can interfere with life on Earth, however, the planet is protected by a field called the Magnetosphere, which prevents solar blasts from reaching the atmosphere. Proof of this protection phenomenon are the
Northern Lightsorpolar auroras, which, despite their beauty, reflect the intensity of the storm's bombardment from the Sun.
Northern lights occur when the Earth's magnetic field is hit by a solar storm
Impact on terrestrial life
The winds caused by the explosion of these superheated particles reach the magnetic field of Tmiss and, in remote cases, the atmosphere, causing interference with some instruments used by men. This is because particles moving from the sun generate magnetic currents that can reach the soil and rocks of the sun. surface Earth, which causes loss in voltage regulation of power distributors and a compromise of the radio frequency.
In 1989, a blackout occurred in the province of Quebec, Canada, was justified by the changes caused in the Earth's magnetic field by particles that left the Sun. In addition to the light shows in the sky, thousands of people were without electricity for hours and radio communication was down.
In a more extreme case, telegraph lines were broken in the year 1859. At the time, some telegraph operators received electric shocks, and some poles produced sparks from the discharge generated by the storm. In this episode, which became known as Carrington Event, the polar auroras could be seen from many places further south in Europe and North America, due to the intensity of the solar bombardments.
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According to Enos Picazzio, Professor at the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of São Paulo (USP), the consequences of large storms proportions, such as those of 1859 and 1889, would be more serious today due to the dependence we have on information circulating through instruments related to the functioning of satellites. In addition, many cities around the world would run out of energy, causing a loss of billions of dollars.
The professor at USP also comments that, if the planet did not have the protection of the magnetosphere, perhaps its characteristics would be similar to those of Venus or Mars, for example. In the past, Mars was protected by a magnetosphere and had a thick atmosphere. Probably, with the loss of the magnetosphere, the atmosphere became thin, the greenhouse effect diminished and the ambient temperature dropped, making the planet arid and cold. On Venus, as it is much closer to the Sun, the effects are different. With a greater incidence of sunlight, the atmosphere of Venus lost light chemical elements, predominantly the heavier ones, in this case, carbon dioxide. As the second closest planet to the Sun has no magnetosphere, its atmosphere is being destroyed by the solar wind.
future storms
Although a lot is said about solar storms due to the easy access we currently have to this type of information, recent studies show that solar activity is decreasing, which can have climatic consequences in some decades.
Technological advances and theoretical models on solar behavior have been successful in monitoring the activities of the Sun. Certainly, accurate forecasts will become increasingly realistic in the future, anticipating storms and other activities. However, Professor Enos Picazzio points out that there is still not much to be done if an explosion of large proportions is foreseen in advance. A contingency plan is needed, especially for countries in the northern hemisphere.
by Rafael Batista
Brazil School Team
