Solar Storms: Threatening the Internet's Existence
Solar storms, also known as geomagnetic storms, can potentially cause global internet breakdown for months by disrupting satellites and undersea cables that carry internet connectivity. These storms, caused by solar flares from the Sun, release powerful energy that can wipe out delicate instruments and infrastructure. The last major solar storm occurred in 1859, causing telegraph lines to give electric shocks and catch fire. If a similar event were to happen today, it could severely damage satellites, navigation systems, communication networks, and power grids, leading to prolonged outages and chaos. NASA monitors the Sun to warn about potential solar storms and has gained valuable insights through missions like the Parker Solar Probe.