Space weather refers to the conditions in space that can affect the Earth’s environment, particularly in the Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere. These conditions are caused by various solar activities, including solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and high-speed solar wind.
Space weather can be dangerous for the Earth in several ways. Power Grids represent one of the ways. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections can cause a disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field, leading to geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) that can flow through power grids, causing damage and potentially causing power outages.
Let’s not also forget satellites and communications. High-energy particles from space can damage or disrupt satellites, communication systems, and GPS systems. This can lead to communication and navigation disruptions and impact essential services such as air traffic control, weather forecasting, and emergency response.
Radiation Exposure is also a factor that needs to be taken seriously when we speak about space weather. Solar events can also increase the radiation levels in the Earth’s atmosphere, posing a threat to astronauts and passengers traveling in airplanes at high altitudes.
NASA will use AI to make us aware of possible solar storms
According to SciTechDaily, NASA has developed a new computer model that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite data to predict the impact of solar storms on Earth. The model analyzes spacecraft measurements of the solar wind and predicts where an incoming solar storm will hit, anywhere on Earth, with 30 minutes of advance warning.
This could provide enough time to prepare for the storm and prevent severe impacts on power grids and other critical infrastructure. Solar storms occur when solar material strikes Earth’s magnetic environment, creating geomagnetic storms that can cause anything from mild to extreme impacts on our technology.
The risk of geomagnetic storms and their impact on our society is increasing as we approach the next “solar maximum” peak in the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle, expected in 2025.
The new AI model aims to mitigate the effects of these storms on our increasingly technology-dependent world.
