According to Professor Peter Becker of George Mason University, the internet has flourished during a period of solar inactivity, and it is now entering a phase of increased solar activity. This marks the first instance in human history where heightened solar activity coincides with our reliance on the internet and its crucial role in the global economy.
To address this potential threat, Becker is leading a project in collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory and the university to develop an early warning system. The concern stems from the fact that during a coronal mass ejection (CME), large plasma blobs travel through space, with a portion potentially hitting Earth and distorting our planet’s magnetic field.
Becker likened the Earth’s electric plug’s third prong, typically a safe discharge for excess electrical charges, to a “big electrical circuit” under these circumstances. This heightened solar activity puts critical infrastructure at risk, including the power grid, satellites, underground fiber optic cables with copper sheaths, navigation and GPS systems, as well as radio transmitters and communication equipment. The vulnerability of these systems highlights the need for proactive measures to mitigate the potential impact of solar storms on our technological infrastructure.
FAQs
Q1. What is the full form of CME?
A1. The full form of CME is coronal mass ejection.
Q2. Is solar storm a risk to Internet?
A2. The heightened solar activity puts critical infrastructure at risk, including the power grid, satellites, underground fiber optic cables with copper sheaths, navigation and GPS systems, as well as radio transmitters and communication equipment.
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