Heliophysicist: solar activity does not need to affect devices

Solar activity can affect the operation of satellites or on the power supply process, but we can already predict dangerous solar flares and protect technical installations from their effects, explained heliophysicist Dr. Pawe? Rudawy in an interview with PAP. Dr. Pawe? Rudawy, heliophysicist from the Institute of Astronomy, University of Wroc?aw, said that as a result of solar flares, streams of plasma are thrown from the sun into space. They can reach the Earth and cause distortions of Earth's magnetic field. Strong flares can cause failure of devices or installations on the planet. "All the big companies that deal with radio communications, power transmission and pipelines, follow weather forecasts with equal attention as the so-called space forecasts, the expected level of solar activity and the consequent possibility of magnetic radiation" - said the researcher. He added that if operators do not disregard the projections, they can properly reconfigure electromagnetic networks and, for example, switch satellites into a safe mode. Damage to such installations due to solar flares are now very rare.  Preparation of an installation for the threat is made possible by heliophysicists who can predict the expected changes even several days in advance. "With the international network of ground stations and a huge fleet of observation satellites, which orbit the Earth, we monitor the condition of the Sun closely enough, that if a very strong flare is coming, (...) we can predict it" - said the researcher. He emphasised that this gives enough time to get ready and properly configure devices. "I do not expect the Sun to cause any technological disasters. If someone loses a satellite, a pipeline or transmission line, it will be due to his own negligence" - said the heliophysicist. The expert explained that the Earth has its own "magnetic shield", the magnetosphere, which protects the planet from the effects of changes in solar activity. He added that on the side of the Sun the Earth's magnetosphere extends at a distance of 6 to 10 Earth radii, and the other side even at a distance equal to several Earth radii. "Simulations show that the magnetosphere resembles a veil of the bride in the wind. Magnetosphere flutters all the time, changes, deforms, and yet we remain in the middle. Of course, we feel these disturbances, although indirectly, because we do not have magnetic sense" - said the researcher. He added that the changes occurring in the magnetosphere result in not only a beautiful phenomenon of the aurora borealis, but also disrupt satellite communications and affect the transport of electricity.  The effect of flares include are disturbances of the ionosphere, which can result in changes in the transmission of radio waves in the ionosphere, thus causing interruptions or disruptions in communication, navigation, operation of radars and tracking stations. On the other hand, after a very strong flash ionosphere may heat up, expand and change satellite orbits so that unprepared devices may fall into the atmosphere. "So a large solar flare can +shoot down+ a satellite" - admitted the expert. Failures of pipelines and power transmission problems are caused by another phenomenon associated with solar flares. The heliophysicist reminded the physics experiment, in which electric cord is moved through a magnetic field, and a bulb placed at the end of this cord began to shine. Similar mechanisms may operate in long lines on Earth, if solar plasma causes changes in the Earth's magnetic field.  Solar flares could generate strong currents long transmission lines or pipelines, causing failures such as blackouts on the east coast of the United States in the 1970s. Dr. Rudawy explained that strong currents could also be generated in pipelines, which sometimes led to explosions. With time, however, people learned to prevent such accidents. However, while we already know how to prepare technical installations and equipment for hazardous radiation, protection of astronauts who stay in orbit remains a big problem. The scientist emphasized that radiation dose, to which members of a space mission are exposed after a large solar flare, can not be without effect on their health.