The Solar Maximum and Potential Impact on Earth's Infrastructure

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Context

The increased interest among scientists regarding the potential consequences of the upcoming Solar Maximum in the current solar cycle.

Details

The Sun is set to reach the Solar Maximum in the next two years of the current solar cycle.
Heightened interest among scientists regarding the potential impact on Earth.
Possibility of disruption to large-scale communication infrastructure and the "internet apocalypse."
Lack of comment from NASA on the possibility of an internet outage caused by a solar storm by 2025.

What is the Solar Maximum?

Period of peak solar activity with the strongest and most disordered magnetic field.
Solar cycles last around 11 years, and the solar maximum occurs roughly in the middle of each cycle.
Increased solar activity during the solar maximum can cause large-scale solar storms, eruptions, and flares.
Potential impacts on Earth: disruption of radio communications, power grid, internet, and health risks for astronauts.
Unlikely for individuals on Earth to experience direct effects of the solar maximum

Internet Apocalypse Concerns

Uncertainty surrounding the potential impact of the 2025 solar storm on the global internet.
Historical examples: Carrington Event of 1859 caused telegraph line disruptions, 1989 solar storm disrupted the Quebec power grid.
The Washington Post report highlights valid concerns about the impact on Earth's interconnected infrastructure.
Lack of experience with extreme case events and unknown response of infrastructure.
Computer science professor, Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi, mentions the term "internet apocalypse" in her research.
Severe solar storms can damage undersea communication cables, leading to long-distance connectivity interruptions.
Potential economic impact: reports suggest more than $11 billion in losses in a single day for the US alone.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Consider the following statements about Solar Maximum:

Solar maximum is the period in the solar cycle when the Sun has the most sunspots.
The Solar Maximum is a period of peak solar activity during which the Sun's magnetic field is at its weakest point.

Select the correct statements using the codes below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

SOLAR MAXIMUM