The solar activity

[bearnard1609]

Have you ever heard that solar activity has a huge impact on our technology. Our technology in space, to our technology on the ground, historical evidence shows the vulnerability of modern technology when confronted with high energy particles, a by-product of space weather events. Equally important is to remember that space weather has a global footprint, thus the damage is felt worldwide rather than local, much like an outbreak. Impact on satellites, aviation, power grid, navigation and communication systems have all been previously documented.

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Edited January 22, 2021 by bearnard1609

[Vancanneyt Sander]

Space weather can have an impact on many technologies and systems in Earth and in space. It’s a known fact, but most specialised industries are prepared for such events. For example satellites can be put in safe mode or in lower orbit for more protection, power grid operators monitor their systems during geomagnetic storms, oil industries monitor their pipes for ground currents, ... .

Only during extreme geomagnetic storms, you’ll see a more noticeable impact. For example the Quebec incident in 1989 when a G5 extreme geomagnetic storm occurred where the power was knocked out for 9 hours in Quebec, also communication was impacted on HF radio, ground currents also caused some damage. More recent where the Halloween storms of 2003 where a series of major solar flares (included an X17) caused extreme geomagnetic storm. Some Satellites went out by the storm, astronauts at the space station had to take cover, airports had difficulties with communications and GPS receivers where way off course, ...

but those extreme storms are rare and you need an extreme solar flare for it (+X10).

with past events scientist and institutes learned from it and adapted to space weather. So no doomsday thinking and don’t watch the doom seekers on YouTube  

[Bedreamon]

It's also kinda jarring since experts and scientists don't really know the major effects. Some say it'd lead to a total collapse of transformers for years, a partial collapse of a group of transformers, or regional voltage collapses. And these are all speculations from experts that should know what they're talking about; Lloyds of London, Metatech, the IEEE, et cetera. But then again, I keep hearing there's vetted interests in the electric industry (at least here in the US), so who the heck knows? 🤷‍♂️

It's one of those many unknowns that, while humanity should prep for, is hard as heck to. Especially for an individual such as myself.

Edited January 22, 2021 by Bedreamon
Added some words.

[Archmonoth]

20 hours ago, Bedreamon said:

It's also kinda jarring since experts and scientists don't really know the major effects.

 

What major affect don't they really know about?

[Bedreamon]

2 hours ago, Archmonoth said:

What major affect don't they really know about?

I mean in the sense that some scientists say that it'd only be temporary regional voltage outages, whereas others say it'd be a complete, unending collapse of society.

That's where the perceived discrepancy is. The effects I've heard range from scientist group to scientist group. And no, I'm not talking about YT channels, as per the examples I put in my previous post.

[SpaceStormChaser]

“Dark Side of the Sun” is a good documentary to back up your point. I believe it’s currently on Hulu (narrated by Sting) and has some points that it really is a big unknown as to what impact major solar weather would have, whether it would be long lasting and far reaching effects, or just a matter of banding together and paying attention to what science is telling us. Whether companies take advice and shut the grid temporarily down so as not to overcharge or blow substations or transformers, or keeping an overstock of necessary parts (and keeping them protected). 

[Archmonoth]

22 hours ago, Bedreamon said:

I mean in the sense that some scientists say that it'd only be temporary regional voltage outages, whereas others say it'd be a complete, unending collapse of society.

That's where the perceived discrepancy is. The effects I've heard range from scientist group to scientist group. And no, I'm not talking about YT channels, as per the examples I put in my previous post.

 

You are referring to major affects which could happen, or do happen?

 

If you are trying to dilate the doom, then yes you are correct, the Sun or some other stellar motion could wash us away. Singular frequency; it might only happen once, and if we survive, we will gather more precise measurements for next time.

 

 

Edited January 24, 2021 by Archmonoth

[bearnard1609]

On 1/22/2021 at 10:48 PM, Bedreamon said:

It's also kinda jarring since experts and scientists don't really know the major effects. Some say it'd lead to a total collapse of transformers for years, a partial collapse of a group of transformers, or regional voltage collapses. And these are all speculations from experts that should know what they're talking about; Lloyds of London, Metatech, the IEEE, et cetera. But then again, I keep hearing there's vetted interests in the electric industry (at least here in the US), so who the heck knows? 🤷‍♂️

It's one of those many unknowns that, while humanity should prep for, is hard as heck to. Especially for an individual such as myself.

Have you heard of SWIMMR programme. The four year programme (2019-2023) is focusing on reducing the potential radiation hazards of space weather to satellites and aviation operations, mitigating potential space weather effects on communication and global positioning, as well as diminishing the potential risks of space weather to electric power distribution. Furthermore, the funding is part of the Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF), which guarantees that the UKRI’s investment is in accordance with governmental priorities. This piece of information I`ve found on https://www.skyrora.com/blog/uk-space-news  Also, I found there an information with more details about the real danger of solar activity. 

 

 

Edited January 25, 2021 by bearnard1609

[SunManGoo]

I would not listen to self professed 'experts' especially on the internet and forums. Do your own research, there are many lies and 'assumptions' being told that 'experts' are saying as fact when are again just theory, and sometimes deliberate misinformation.

These 'experts' that tell you you are wrong do not make you wrong. Question why.. why, if a tiny dot running into the sun makes the headlines of spaceweather.com yet this event, showing a massive impact of a larger than earth sized - what? Happened, and did not make this forum at all. Should I make a new topic on this one? Or will that get 'moderated' too

 

[Vancanneyt Sander]

Comets are often discovered by viewing the SOHO/LASCO imagery and is nothing new, more than 4000 comets have been discovered by the instrument. Some survive, some are vaporised by the solar corona and sometimes one can plunge into the Sun unleashing a coronal mass ejection.

Some hot shots:

As it’s something that happens often, we don’t put it in headlines on our page.

some more information in this great video: