The sun, a massive nuclear reaction hurtling through space, is not just a beautiful celestial object; it is incredibly active. During periods of heightened activity, it releases more heat, radiation, and even plasma – superheated matter that can wreak havoc on our fragile electronic infrastructures. This solar activity is known as Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), and it poses a significant threat to the internet.
Professor Peter Becker of George Mason University recently raised concerns about the potential downtime of the internet as we enter a more active phase of the sun. “The internet has thrived during a time when the sun has been relatively calm, but now we are facing an intersection of increased solar activity and our dependence on the internet,” Professor Becker explained in an interview with FOX Weather.
Solar flares and the subsequent coronal mass ejections can disrupt electronics. While we have the ability to observe solar flares, predicting the direction of a CME heading towards Earth can only give us approximately 18 to 24 hours of warning. Even electronics that we assume to be safe can be affected.
“People often assume that their grounded computers are protected,” Professor Becker cautioned. “But in an event like this, inductive currents can be driven to the surface of the Earth, causing unexpected damage to supposedly safe devices.”
To illustrate the potential danger, Professor Becker recounted an event from 1859 when a similar solar storm damaged telegraph wires and electrocuted operators. The magnetic field variations were so powerful that the wires carried high voltage, causing sparks to fly and wreaking havoc. In today’s world, with our delicate electronic systems, the damage from such an event could last for weeks or even months.
“Imagine this scenario happening to our internet infrastructure with its delicate electronics,” warned Professor Becker. “We would be looking at a significant disruption that could take several weeks to months to repair fully. And the consequences go beyond just communications; there would be severe economic disruption as well.”
However, Professor Becker also emphasized that proactive measures can be taken to mitigate the potential damage. With advance warning, we can protect satellites and transformers from the harmful effects of a solar storm. In the long term, we will need to invest in hardening the internet against such events, but the associated costs pose an economic challenge.
While the risk of a solar storm causing widespread internet disruption is a concerning possibility, being aware and prepared can make a significant difference in minimizing its impact. It is crucial that we acknowledge this potential threat and take the necessary steps to safeguard our electronic infrastructure.
