The solar storm of the century is overdue. Are we ready for it?
Scientists are warning that modern technology is increasingly vulnerable to intense solar storms as the Sun enters a highly active phase of its 11-year cycle. Recent observations of massive sunspots highlight the potential for significant disruption to global satellite and power infrastructure.
Why it matters
A major solar event could cause catastrophic failure of the space-based infrastructure that underpins modern global communication and power grids.
With modern society increasingly dependent on space-based infrastructure, this has created a new vulnerability to the most powerful magnetic space weather. TEREZA PULTAROVA looks at what happens to satellites when the Sun loses its cool.
The Sun has been merciful to the Earthlings since electricity-powered technology took over the planet in the 19th Century. Scientists know that one day, the life-giving star will show us its teeth – what they do not know is how much havoc that will wreak on our technology-dependent civilisation.
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