What is a solar storm? Learn about Internet apocalypse possibility that has prompted NASA spacecraft launch.
There have been circulating rumors online about a potential global internet outage caused by a severe solar storm.
However, it is important to assess the credibility of these claims.
Given our reliance on the internet for work, entertainment, and communication, the prospect of an “internet apocalypse” has understandably raised concerns among many individuals.
The notion of losing internet access for months gained public attention in 2021 when computer scientist Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi, from the University of California Irvine, warned about the possibility of a catastrophic solar storm occurring within the next decade.
How solar storms impact the Earth explained as scientists warn of a possible internet apocalypse
Interestingly, NASA has demonstrated its seriousness regarding this risk by launching the Parker Solar Probe (PSP).
This probe successfully traversed the powerful solar winds generated in the sun’s atmosphere, providing valuable insights.
So, what exactly is a solar storm, and how could it lead to an internet apocalypse?
A solar storm refers to atmospheric disturbances on Earth caused by solar flares originating from the sun.
During these storms, streams of electromagnetic fields are directed toward our planet, resulting in phenomena like the aurora borealis.
NASA has observed that solar storms follow an 11-year cycle, with their frequency and intensity varying.
Stronger geomagnetic storms associated with solar activity can disrupt satellite, radio, and internet functionality.
For instance, a geomagnetic storm in 2011 caused disruptions in radio signals in South China.
In an even more remarkable event in 1859, an exceptionally intense storm led to auroras appearing across the globe.
If a similar event were to occur today, it could potentially result in a worldwide blackout, causing months of disruption.
The effects of such an outage are estimated to be 20 times greater than those of a catastrophic hurricane due to the profound impact it would have on the supply chain of essentials such as food and medication.
