Solar flare expert in Egypt issues alarm: Potential disruptions to satellites, internet, and human health due to powerful solar flares.
Warning Issued for Severe Solar Flares Approaching Earth
Brace yourself, folks! An Egypt-based geology and water resources professor, Dr. Abbas Sharaky, has issued a grim warning about a wave of powerful solar flares set to hit our planet as early as Friday. These cosmic bursts could wreak havoc on everything from satellites and wireless communications to our very moods.
During the ongoing 25th solar cycle, which started in 2019, solar activity has been ramping up. This cycle, which spans 11 years, is nearing its summit, predicted between 2024 and 2025.
These folks aren't your average garden-variety solar flares — they're big and getting bigger. They're graded on a five-tier scale, from A to X, with each level ten times stronger than the last. An "X" class flare, the baddest boy out there, packs a punch as strong as a billion hydrogen bombs!
By Tuesday night Cairo time, a mind-blowing "X" class flare awakened the sun's surface, followed by four more abnormal flares on Wednesday, including this year's strongest, an "X2.7" flare, and three "M" class events.
When these flares erupt, they propel Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) — gigantic blasts of solar plasma — towards Earth at speeds of approximately 1,000 km/s. Once they reach us, it takes anywhere from one to several days.
With the Sun-Earth distance set at 150 million kilometers, this week's emissions are expected to touch down on Friday, potentially pushing the mercury up to 45°C on Saturday and lingering through Sunday.
What's the Risk?
So, just what might happen when these flares collide with our planet? Well, you can kiss your tech goodbye if you don't prepare. Here's what Dr. Sharaky had to say:
- Satellite Meltdowns: These gargantuan flares could bring satellite chaos, potentially leading to satellite failures.
- Communication Chaos: Our wireless communication systems and GPS navigation in aircraft and ships could falter. Think airplanes nose-diving into the ocean and ships sailing off course.
- Electronic Fry-ups: Sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, power grids, servers, and medical devices may malfunction, leading to power outages and potentially even fatal consequences.
- Internet Oblivion: The internet infrastructure could face erosion, resulting in outages.
In addition to technological threats, these intense solar events may cause adverse physiological effects, such as mood swings, anxiety, and even hormonal imbalances.
Keep Calm and Carry On
To tackle these challenges, Dr. Sharaky emphasized the importance of raised awareness and preparedness as we plunge deeper into the chaotic waters of the 25th solar cycle. It's time to batten down the hatches and prepare for a ride like no other!
[1] Wikipedia. Solar Flares. Accessed on 2023/05/15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_flare[2] NASA. Solar Cycle 25. Accessed on 2023/05/15. https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/solar-cycle-25.html[3] Space.com. What Does a Solar Flare Do to Earth? Accessed on 2023/05/15. https://www.space.com/15740-solar-flare-effects.html
- The ongoing solar cycle, which includes these severe solar flares, presents a substantial risk to technology, potentially causing satellite chaos, communication failure, electronic malfunctions, internet outages, and even potential fatalities due to power failures.
- In addition to these technological risks, these intense solar events may also have adverse physiological effects on humans, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and even hormonal imbalances, emphasizing the need for health-and-wellness consideration during such events. Meanwhile, advances in science, technology, and space-and-astronomy provide valuable insights into the solar cycle, enabling us to better understand and prepare for these solar phenomena.
