The Sun is set to emerge from a relatively low period of activity and is expected to reach its peak in 2013 and 2014.
The Sun is set to emerge from a relatively low period of activity and is expected to reach its peak in 2013 and 2014. During this period, a threat looms large over Earth as it could be pounded by devastating solar storms that astrophysicists term as category five or X-class solar storms.
Astrophysicist Professor RC Kapoor, formerly with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), said that though there is the risk of Earth being hit by X-class solar storms, human beings would not be affected.
High solar activity has been occurring since time immemorial, but there have been no instances of affecting human beings. “Even if solar flares are directed towards Earth, there is no reason to worry. The Earth’s greatest protector is its atmosphere and magnetic fields. The flares would get trapped in the magnetic fields,” he said.
However, there is a possibility of solar storms disrupting satellites and power supply stations, warned Prof Kapoor. “There will be some disturbances in communication as there is a possibility of satellites being hit by category five storms. If that occurs, there will be short-circuiting in satellites, on which our communication, TV and defence systems depend on. To avoid such a situation, space agencies will have to change the orientation of satellites.
Similarly, electric grids will have to be protected,” he said.
Incidentally, India’s maiden moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, was a victim of solar radiation. Chandrayaan-1’s mission was aborted almost a year before its original mission duration.
Dipankar Banerjee, associate professor at IIA, said if the solar flares are too strong and if they manage to penetrate the atmosphere, people living close to the North and South Poles could be affected.
“It is difficult to say what type of flares would hit Earth. If it does, power grids will be affected and satellite experiments would be put off during that period. There is also a possibility of flares affecting passengers travelling in long-haul flights that fly at high altitudes,” he said.
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