Carrington Event

Source: The post “Carrington Event” has been created, based on the article “Solar tantrums of epic proportions” published in “Business standard” on 18th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3– science and technology-Awareness in the fields of Space

Context: This article describes a powerful solar flare observed by Richard Carrington in 1859, known as the Carrington Event. It explains the effects of such flares, including disruptions to technology and the ongoing threat they pose due to solar activity cycles. Carrington Event

What was Carrington Event?

The Carrington Event, observed by Richard Carrington on September 1, 1859, was the largest recorded geomagnetic storm. This massive solar flare, equivalent to 10 billion atomic bombs, hurled electrified gas and particles at Earth.

Occurring just months before a solar maximum, a peak in the sun’s activity that happens every 11 years, the Carrington Event highlights the significant impact solar storms can have on our technology-dependent society.

What Causes Solar Storms?

Solar storms are intense bursts of energy and light from the sun.
Solar storms originate from magnetic distortions on the sun’s surface, creating dark patches called sunspots. These sunspots are the birthplace of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

During solar cycle, the sun’s magnetic field lines in the corona can become entangled. This magnetic entanglement causes the field lines to snap back to their original positions, releasing vast bursts of plasma and magnetic fields, known as CMEs. These CMEs can take days to reach Earth and cause geomagnetic storms upon arrival.
For detailed information on Solar Storms read this article here

What are the effects of solar flares?

Solar flares emit bursts of X-ray and gamma radiation, which can damage the delicate electronics onboard satellites. To mitigate this, engineers protect satellites with robust radiation shielding.

When solar flares, along with CMEs, reach Earth, they can disrupt the planet’s magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms. These storms generate powerful electrical currents that can affect power grids.

In today’s technology-dependent world, solar flares pose serious risks to power grids, internet, and satellite communications.

For detailed information on Understanding solar flares read this article here.

Question for practice:

Examine the impact of solar flares and geomagnetic storms on modern technology.