[Challenge:Future] A Solar Crisis
Download as PPTX, PDF0 likes230 views
An unprecedented scale of massive solar storms could wreak havoc on Earth. Solar storms result from solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the Sun that discharge electromagnetic radiation and high-energy particles. These solar storms can have major consequences such as disabling power grids and causing electrical outages, damaging satellites and disrupting GPS systems, and potentially harming health through prolonged electromagnetic radiation exposure. Better forecasting of solar storms, hardening infrastructure, improving satellite design, and individual preparedness planning are needed to mitigate risks from solar superstorms.
[Challenge:Future] A Solar Crisis
- 1. A Solar Crisis An unprecedented scale of massive solar storms wreaking havoc on Earth
- 2. “the more advanced the community is, the more vulnerable it is to the effects of outer space” Pieter Kotze, geophysicist
- 3. What is a solar storm? A solar storm is the colloquial term of the result of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun. These are massive discharges of electromagnetic radiation and high-energy particles.
- 4. What are the possible consequences of a solar storm? CMEs are able to blow out the giant transformers of power grids, causing electrical outages to industrial, commercial and residential infrastructures. As replacing such transformers can require a lengthy time, problems like crashing of stock market and rising crime rate can arise. The solar radiation storm in March 1989 blew out the Hydro-Quebec power grid, blacking out the households of 6 million Canadians.
- 5. What are the possible consequences of a solar storm? Low Earth orbit satellites can be short-circuited and have their lifespan decreased by a factor of ten, according to study leader Yuri Shprits, a geophysicist at the University of California, Los Angeles. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) can also be disrupted. According NASA, a powerful X-class solar flare erupted on the sun on Dec 2006 and disrupted satellite-to-ground communications and GPS navigation signals for about 10 minutes. These can cause dire effects on telecommunications and navigation which can cripple many transportation systems that we rely heavily on in our daily lives .
- 6. What are the possible consequences of a solar storm? In extreme cases, high levels of electromagnetic radiation can cause electronics devices which can be found in every façade of our modern society to fail. Prolonged exposure to high levels of electromagnetic radiation can also lead to a range of health issues such as cancer in the long run.
- 7. Possible responses for a solar storm disaster Better forecasting and space weather predictions should be the focus to bring about earlier warnings for governments to disseminate information to aid the possible affected stakeholders to take measure to minimize the impact of solar storms. Power companies can raise the transformers trip level to decrease the vulnerability to solar disruptions or take them offline before the solar storm hits. Due to cost efficiency and feasibility of upgrading existing satellites, various stakeholders can improve on the design mitigation strategies for future satellites. At individual level, people can work out a solar storm preparedness plan that includes an emergency meeting area for the family, how they can prepare an adequate supply of food and water to last them through the disaster.
- 8. Thank you for your attention Ethan Chung Erpei ethanchungep@gmail.com