A powerful solar storm could take Earth to dark ages by pushing satellites off their orbits
The first half of 2022 was packed with solar storms that struck the Earth. Some of them even reached the intensity of a G3 class solar storm, which can disrupt GPS systems and cause radio blackouts. But with the Sun moving towards its solar maximum, the peak of its solar cycle, scientists are concerned whether a much stronger storm is in the making. Historically speaking, the Earth has periodically been hit by G5 class solar storms, the strongest known to us. However, it has been some time since such powerful storms came our way. The last recorded G5 solar storm was in 1859 in a shocking incident which is known as the Carrington Event. Now, more than 160 years later, the Earth is overdue for another big solar catastrophe.
The Carrington Event is a historic landmark in solar studies because the incoming solar storm did an unprecedented level of damage which was not expected earlier. Telegraph systems, which used to be the primary method for long distance communication, entirely failed, with various parts of the world reporting sparks and damage to the instruments. Power grids also failed resulting in hours and days without electricity. But if a similar storm were to take place today, the damage could be exponentially higher.
Compared to 1859, we have advanced by leaps and bounds in technology and we rely heavily on wireless satellite communication in the form of the internet, mobile networks, navigation systems, radar technology and so on. And satellites are our point of vulnerability in case a solar storm hits. A few months back, Elon musk led SpaceX lost 40 of its Starlink satellites due to a solar storm. That was a minor G2 class solar storm.
It is believed that a G5 class solar storm can be so powerful that it can push
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