ALERT: NASA warns of massive solar storm is heading towards earth, could disrupt power grids, mobile network, cause blackouts due to...
That second flare had a big effect, it knocked out radio signals in many parts of the world, including North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. These blackouts show how powerful solar activity can mess with our communication systems and other important technology. US holds solar storm practice to prepare for future danger
With the threat of solar storms growing, the US government held a big training event to check how ready they are. On May 8, 2024, in Denver, Colorado, FEMA led a special emergency drill called the 'Space Weather Tabletop Exercise.'
This event brought together many important groups, including the Air National Guard's 140th Wing and 233rd Space Group, as well as major federal agencies like NOAA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The main goal was to get everyone talking openly about the problems they might face during a major solar storm. The drill imagined a situation happening in January 2028, where powerful geomagnetic storms hit Earth. These storms are caused by huge bursts of energy from the Sun, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can damage satellites, power systems, and communication networks. Massive solar storm test shows possible nationwide blackouts
During the emergency drill, the most serious situation imagined was a huge solar storm, a powerful explosion from the Sun known as a solar superstorm. In this made-up scenario, the storm caused major internet failures across the US, shut down parts of the electric grid, and left large parts of the East Coast without power for a long time.
This fake disaster also affected important services like trains, pipelines, and energy systems, leading to major transport problems and rising fuel prices. Experts believe if such a real event were to happen, it could cause massive damage to the economy, national security, and people's everyday lives.
To make things more complex, the drill also imagined that two astronauts in NASA's Orion spacecraft were on their way to the Moon at the same time, while another crew from the Artemis mission was already there.
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