Tech News Summary:
- Multiple highly active regions on the Sun threaten the Earth with powerful solar storms and one Earth-facing sunspot, AR3331, produced a M2.5-class solar flare that caused a shortwave radio blackout in Mexico and the southern region of the US. Loss of signal was also reported at frequencies below 15 MHz for up to 30 minutes after the flare.
- Another solar storm three days ago caused blackouts in Africa that disrupted wireless communications for 90 minutes. The ionizing effect that causes these blackouts can disrupt radio communication, GPS services and drone activities, delay flights and leave ships in the ocean without any reception.
- Researchers are now looking for any signs of a coronal mass ejection (CME) release after the flare because it may spark a solar storm within the next two days. If this happens, it could cause severe disruptions to power grids and satellite communications.
Scientists have warned that a solar flare explosion could trigger widespread blackouts on Earth, following recent disruptions in power grids in parts of the world.
Currently, NASA and other space agencies around the world are closely monitoring the sun’s surface as it enters a solar maximum, a period when it is most active and prone to producing strong solar flares.
A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation that shoots through space and can potentially disrupt the Earth’s magnetic field, causing widespread power outages.
According to experts, the recent disruptions in power grids in Mexico, South America and other parts of the world may be a warning sign that a solar storm is imminent.
In fact, a recent report by the United States’ National Academy of Sciences warned that a major geomagnetic storm could cause billions of dollars in damages and take years to recover from.
While experts say that it is impossible to predict when a solar storm will occur, NASA and other space agencies are constantly monitoring the sun’s activity in order to provide early warning and prepare for any potential disruptions to power grids and other critical infrastructure.
In the meantime, experts advise individuals and businesses to prepare for the possibility of blackouts by keeping backup generators and other emergency supplies on hand.