Sun is the Essence of Life
Our sun is the most important factor for life on our planet. The energy coming from the sun not only contributes to the photosynthesis of plants and the creation of oxygen, but also provides our planet with the heat energy necessary for life. As I mentioned in my previous article about the Goldilocks zone, the existence of the sun is very important for the formation of life on our planet and the existence of liquid water. However, our sun is not a fixed and calm ball of energy. Many explosions and activities occur on the surface of our sun. When our sun produces energy, it produces energy through a reaction called fusion, and this energy reaches our planet as both light and heat. During this reaction, temperatures sometimes reach millions of degrees, plus there is an extraordinary movement on the surface and inside the sun due to both the rotation of the sun and the magnetic energy formed by this high-temperature plasma. During fusion, hydrogen isotopes combine with each other under high heat and high pressure and form Helium, a higher element, and its isotopes. During this process, some of these atoms and molecules turn into energy, and this energy forms the light and heat emitted by the sun. So the Sun is not only our source of light and heat, but also a dynamic star that can host massive explosions.
Solar Storms and Solar Wind
These explosions are known as solar storms, and can affect Earth by shooting charged particles and electromagnetic radiation into space.The driving force behind solar storms is changes in the Sun’s magnetic field. The Sun’s magnetic field is constantly twisting, bending, and breaking, causing events such as sunspots and solar flares. Solar flares are sudden bursts of enormous energy that can shoot clouds of plasma and magnetic fields called coronal mass ejections (CMEs) into space.
CMEs carry high-energy particles that can damage spacecraft, satellites, and power grids as they travel toward Earth. They can also cause scattered light in Earth’s atmosphere, known as auroras. The intensity and effects of solar storms vary depending on the size of the CME, its distance from Earth, and how it interacts with Earth’s magnetic field. While some solar storms are small and harmless, others can cause major power outages, communications outages, and even damage to spacecraft.
To predict and mitigate the effects of solar storms, scientists have developed sophisticated systems that monitor the Sun and the space environment. These systems help predict when and where CMEs will occur and determine their potential impacts. This helps protect infrastructure such as power grids and spacecraft, and minimize the damage that solar storms can cause. While solar storms pose a threat to Earth, they are also a fascinating and mysterious force of nature.
Effects of Solar Storms:
• Power grid outages: High-energy particles from solar storms can cause power grids to overvoltage and current spikes, causing outages.
• Communication outages: Solar storms can disrupt radio and satellite communications, which can lead to flight delays, disruptions to mobile networks, and internet outages.
• Damage to spacecraft and satellites: High-energy particles from solar storms can damage or disrupt the functionality of spacecraft’s electronic systems.
• Polar lights: Charged particles from solar storms cause scattered light in the Earth’s atmosphere known as polar lights. In fact, the Northern Lights, called Aurora Borealis, are created by the interaction of these particles from the sun with the Earth’s magnetic energy.
Preparing for Solar Storms:
• Early warning systems: Scientists can predict solar storms using sophisticated systems that monitor the Sun and the space environment. This information can be used to help protect infrastructure such as power grids and spacecraft.
• Strengthening technology: Power grids and spacecraft can be designed and improved to be more resilient to the effects of solar storms.
• Contingency plans: Contingency plans can be prepared and implemented to respond to outages and damage that solar storms can cause. For example, what to do if the power grid and/or internet network goes down, and what backup systems should be put in place.
Solar Cycle of 11 Years
The Sun goes through a cycle of activity about every 11 years. During these cycles, signs of solar activity, such as the number of sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), increase and decrease. In 2025, the Sun is expected to reach the peak of its current cycle (Solar Cycle 25). This is known as solar maximum. Solar scientists predict that the peak of Solar Cycle 25 will occur around July 2025 and that at least 115 sunspots will occur, but when we look at current indicators, we see that solar activities will accelerate in this regard starting from 2024. Solar storms are a natural part of space weather and will continue to affect the Earth. Such interactions have already occurred in the past and many spacecraft and even the world’s power grid have been affected by such cycles. However, our increasingly technological lifestyle means that the world will be more affected by these cycles of the Sun.
When we consider that 2025 will be a year of intense solar activities, we should take immediate measures in order to prevent our internet network and power grids from being affected in terms of national security and even the Solar Sciences Council should convene and officially conduct studies on this issue and inform the public. In this way, both the space homeland and national security will be ensured and countries economies will be prevented from being affected.
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