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1 year ago in Physics By Sal Gray

What can we expect from the solar storm that is set to hit Earth tomorrow‑ Are there likely to be extreme effects?

News headlines about an incoming solar storm can be alarmist. As an infrastructure planner, I need a scientist's grounded perspective. What are the most common, verified impacts on technology and systems we should prepare for? And what constitutes a genuinely extreme, Carrington-level event that would justify more drastic mitigation?

 

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By Alia Raheja Answered 1 year ago

Based on my work with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, here's my realistic assessment. For the vast majority of storms, expect beautiful auroras visible at lower latitudes and minor, temporary disruptions to high-frequency radio communications and GPS precision. These are manageable. The genuine risk, though low probability, is from a direct hit by a fast, massive CME with a southward magnetic field. This can induce strong currents in long conductors like power grids and pipelines. A Carrington-level event is this worst-case scenario, potentially damaging transformers. For planning, I recommend focusing on proven, operational mitigations: grid operators being alerted to curtail loads and satellite operators putting assets in safe mode.

 

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