Relationship between Solar Flares and the Earth's Environment [Space x Sustainability].
Relationship between solar flares and the global environment
Hello everyone.
Just recently, a solar flare occurred.!
A solar flare is a huge explosion that occurs on the surface of the sun. A large amount of energy is released in a short period of time, affecting the Earth.
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, “X5.8” taken by observation satellitewas pretty big.
In this issue, I would like to summarize the relationship between solar flares and the global environment there.
Table of Contents
What is a solar flare: What is reaching Earth?
A solar flare is a huge explosion that occurs on the surface of the sun. Huge amounts of energy are released in a short period of time, and light, electromagnetic waves, charged particles, etc. are scattered into space. From Earth, we can observe the surface of the Sun shining brightly.
Mechanism of solar flare
Solar flares are closely related to the magnetic field activity of the Sun. There are many regions on the solar surface where the strength of the magnetic field varies. When these magnetic field lines become intricately intertwined and unstable, they suddenly rupture, causing a flare.
When a flare occurs, enormous amounts of energy are released as light, electromagnetic waves, and charged particles.Light energy includes not only visible light but also short-wavelength electromagnetic waves such as X-rays and ultraviolet rays.Charged particles consist mainly of electrons and protons.
The mechanism by which downstream electrons from solar flares reach Earth can be explained by complex physical phenomena.Downstream electrons can have a variety of effects, the extent of which varies greatly from flare to flare.
Below are four main points that may be affected.
electromagnetic waves
A solar flare is an explosive phenomenon that occurs on the surface of the sun, emitting large amounts of light, heat, and electromagnetic radiation.These electromagnetic waves reach the Earth's atmosphere and have a variety of effects.
Types and effects of electromagnetic waves
The electromagnetic waves emitted from solar flares can be classified into three main types
X-rays: have the highest energy, penetrate the atmosphere, and reach the earth's surface.They can affect power and communication grids, causing major power outages and communication failures.
Ultraviolet rays: These are lower in energy than X-rays and are absorbed by most of the atmosphere.However, intense UV radiation can deplete the ozone layer and increase the risk of skin cancer.
High-energy particles: Charged particles fly at high speed through space and can cause malfunctions and shutdowns when they collide with satellites.
The impact of a solar flare depends on the size of the flare and its position relative to the Earth.In general, the larger the flare and the closer to the poles it reaches the Earth, the greater the impact.
ultra-violet rays
A solar flare is an explosive phenomenon that occurs on the solar surface, releasing a large amount of energy in a short period of time.This energy is converted into various forms, such as heat, light, and electromagnetic waves, and reaches the earth.
Ultraviolet radiation is another type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by solar flares.When a solar flare occurs, more short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation (extreme ultraviolet radiation) is emitted than usual.
Impact on the Earth
The Earth's atmosphere absorbs most ultraviolet radiation, limiting the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the ground.Extreme ultraviolet radiation, however, is easily absorbed by the ozone layer in the upper layers of the atmosphere, so it is thought to have relatively little impact on the ground.
However, in the event of a large-scale solar flare, a large amount of extreme ultraviolet radiation is emitted, which may not be fully absorbed by the ozone layer.As a result, the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the ground increases.
The use of these chemicals may also cause sunburn, cataracts, and other health problems.
However, these effects depend on the type and magnitude of the solar flare and the state of the ozone layer.At present, there have been no reports of serious health problems caused by solar flares.
reference information
downstream electron
During solar flare outbreaks, Corona plasma (high-temperature, high-density plasma) accelerates a charged particle through magnetosphere to reach the earth through the Earth. Of these, the electric charge is negative electron is called downstream electron .
The specific mechanisms are as follows
- Flare acceleration
In a corona plasma heated by a flare, downstream electrons is accelerated by magnetic recombination .
- Coronal large scale structure formation:
Accelerated downstream electrons are in the corona plasma. Corona Large Scale Structureis the name of the magnetic field structure
- Magnetic field line connection:
The magnetic field lines within the coronal large scale structure are the Earth's magnetosphere and connection .
- Downstream electrons reach earth
- Downstream electrons accelerated along the coronal large scale structure travel through the magnetosphere to reach Earth.
Impact on the Earth
Downstream electrons reaching the earth are, Ionosphere at high altitude and releases energy to the aurora is caused. It also affects satellites, aircraft, etc.It also affects satellites and aircraft, Failure of electronic equipment It may also cause that.
However, the effects of downstream electrons vary greatly depending on the size and location of the flare.Not all flares emit downstream electrons, and the amount of downstream electrons reaching the earth varies.
light
Light itself has little direct effect.
Solar flares emit electromagnetic waves of short wavelengths, mainly X-rays and ultraviolet rays.These electromagnetic waves are absorbed by the atmosphere and therefore rarely reach the ground. Visible light, on the other hand, has a longer wavelength and is not absorbed by the atmosphere.
However, very intense light, even visible light, can damage the retina. This condition, called snow-blindness, is caused by prolonged exposure to reflected sunlight in snowfields.
If the solar flare is very strong, it may also cause photochemical reactions. A photochemical reaction is a phenomenon in which light energy causes a chemical reaction.It has been pointed out that light energy emitted from solar flares can destroy the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
Because the ozone layer is responsible for absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation, the depletion of the ozone layer is thought to increase the risk of skin cancer.
The light from a solar flare can be very bright, but only lasts for a short time. Therefore, prolonged exposure to light that could damage the retina is unlikely.
Ozone depletion is a long-term problem, with no immediate serious consequences.
Thus, the light from a solar flare does not have a significant direct impact, but may have an indirect impact under certain circumstances.
Those who wish to learn more about the more detailed mechanisms may want to read the book.
What a pleasure to know the amount of solar flare derived effects.
Knowing the amount of solar flare-derived impact has a number of benefits. There is concern that solar flare activity will increase in the future. Therefore, it is important to more accurately determine the amount of solar flare impact.
Improved accuracy of damage estimation
The amount of impact of a solar flare can affect satellites, communication systems, power grids, water quality, and many other things. If we know the amount of impact, we can more accurately predict these damages and take measures to minimize them.
For example, if we know that a solar flare may cause a satellite to malfunction, we can prevent damage by switching the satellite to safe mode in advance.
Develop appropriate countermeasures
Once the amount of solar flare impact is known, more appropriate countermeasures can be formulated.
For example, if we know that the power grid could be disrupted by a solar flare, we can take steps to strengthen the grid in advance.
Strengthen risk management
Once the amount of solar flare impact is known, the risk from solar flares can be managed more effectively.
For example, if we know that a solar flare may affect aircraft operations, we can reschedule aircraft operations or enhance safety measures in advance.
Reduction of economic losses
The damage caused by solar flares can lead to economic losses because of the significant impact in terms of establishment and other factors as described above. Once the amount of impact is known, economic losses can be reduced by minimizing the damage.
Actual incidents, accidents, etc.
There was a major blackout in Quebec in 1989.
A massive power outage occurred in Quebec, Canada. X-rays emitted from a solar flare penetrated the atmosphere and burned power lines, causing a blackout that affected approximately 6 million people.
The 2003 communications satellite failure was reported in the United States.
A U.S. communications satellite malfunctioned when it was hit by a high-energy particle released from a solar flare. Communication services such as satellite telephony and television broadcasting were affected.
A 2012 GPS satellite malfunction also occurred.
A European Space Agency GPS satellite malfunctioned when it was hit by a high-energy particle emitted from a solar flare. Aircraft operations were affected.
Global Environmental Impact
In what ways do solar flares affect the global environment?
rise in temperature
There is a paper that says they may have an effect on temperature rise.
David J. Pawlowski, Aaron J. Ridley, The effects of different solar flare characteristics on the global thermosphere, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Volume 73, Issue 13, 2011,Pages 1840-1848, ISSN 1364-6826, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2011.04.004
Electromagnetic interference:.
Powerful electromagnetic waves emitted from solar flares can cause disruptions to satellites and communication systems.
Aurora Occurrence:.
Charged particles emitted from solar flares collide with the Earth's atmosphere and produce auroras.
Geomagnetic storms:.
Charged particles ejected from solar flares can disrupt the Earth's magnetic field and cause geomagnetic storms. Geomagnetic storms can disrupt power grids and affect aircraft operations.
Light and electromagnetic waves emitted from solar flares have a variety of effects when they reach the Earth's atmosphere.
Impact on shortwave communications:.
High-energy electromagnetic waves can block shortwave communications. They are particularly susceptible in high latitude areas.
Satellite Impact:
Charged particles can damage satellite electronics. Satellites orbiting at low altitudes, such as GPS satellites, are particularly susceptible.
Impact on the power grid:.
Powerful magnetic storms can cause excessive current to flow through power lines, resulting in power outages.
Effects on the human body:.
Radiation emitted from solar flares can be harmful to the human body. In particular, astronauts and aircrew may be exposed to higher doses.
Impact on Water Resources
Solar flares can also affect Earth's water resources. Specifically, the following effects are possible
Depletion of the ozone layer
Ultraviolet radiation emitted from solar flares can destroy the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. When the ozone layer is destroyed, the risk of skin cancer and cataracts caused by ultraviolet radiation increases.
water pollution
Radiation emitted from solar flares can contaminate water quality. Radiation can kill organisms in the water and change the quality of the water.
Drought
Solar flares can change the Earth's climate and cause droughts. Droughts can cause water and food shortages.
Examples of Impacts on Water Resources
In 2003, a huge solar flare caused communication problems around the world. This solar flare also caused water supply facilities in Japan to be temporarily cut off.
Also in 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. The Great East Japan Earthquake caused a nuclear power plant accident that spilled radioactive materials into the ocean. This radioactive contamination dealt a heavy blow to the fishing and tourism industries in coastal areas.
As these examples show, solar flares can have a serious impact on Earth's water resources. There is concern that solar flare activity will increase in the future. Therefore, it is important to take measures to mitigate the effects of solar flares.
How to observe solar flares
As these examples show, solar flares can have a serious impact on Earth's water resources. There is concern that solar flare activity will increase in the future. Therefore, it is important to take measures to mitigate the effects of solar flares.
The main ways to observe solar flares are:
Telescope on the ground
Solar flares emit not only visible light but also short-wavelength electromagnetic waves such as X-rays and ultraviolet rays. These electromagnetic waves can be observed with ground-based telescopes.
Optical telescope
Observe the light from solar flares.
X-ray telescope: allows observation of X-rays emitted from solar flares.
Ultraviolet Telescope
Ultraviolet radiation emitted from solar flares can be observed.
Ground-based observations allow us to study the detailed structure and movement of solar flares. However, the wavelength range that can be observed is limited due to atmospheric effects.
2. space observation satellite
Solar flares can be observed not only from the ground but also from space. Space observation satellites can observe electromagnetic waves of various wavelengths without being affected by the atmosphere.
Solar Observation Satellite
The Sun can be observed with a dedicated telescope to observe solar flares and various other solar activities. Typical satellites include Japan's HINODE and the U.S. SDO.
Solar Radio Observation Satellite
Radio waves emitted from solar flares can be observed. The radio waves help to estimate the location and intensity of solar flares.
Observations by space observation satellites provide information that cannot be obtained from ground-based observations. However, not all solar flares can be observed at all times due to the limited number of space observation satellites.
3. other observation methods
In addition to the above, there are several other ways to observe solar flares.
Solar flares can be observed in a variety of ways. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and a combination of methods can provide more detailed information about solar flares.
Solar radio burst
A solar radio burst is an electromagnetic wave that comes out of a solar flare.
Electromagnetic waves emitted from solar flares reach the ground as radio waves. By measuring these radio waves, the occurrence of solar flares can be detected.
Geomagnetic observation
Charged particles emitted from solar flares disrupt the Earth's magnetic field. By measuring this disturbance of the magnetic field, we can estimate the effects of solar flares.
These methods can help to quickly detect the onset of solar flares and to understand their widespread effects.
How to measure solar flares
There are several units that can be used to describe the magnitude of a solar flare. Typical examples are as follows
Energy
- Watt (W)： A unit of measure for the total amount of energy released from a solar flare.
- Erg (erg)： This is a unit of energy in the CGS unit system.1 erg = 1 cm・dyn = 10^{-7} J
- Solar energy unit (solar flare unit, 1 solar flare unit = 10^25 J)Solar flare energy: A unit of measurement that compares the energy of a solar flare to the amount of energy radiated by the sun in one second.
X-ray flux
- Watts per square meter (W/m^2)： This unit is used to measure the amount of X-rays emitted from a solar flare. The GOES satellite measures the size of X-ray flares in this unit.
- Microwatt per square meter (μW/m^2): A smaller unit of x-ray flux.
intensity of light
- Watt (W)： A unit of measure for the total amount of light emitted from a solar flare.
- Candela (cd)A unit that expresses the brightness of a light source.1 cd = 1 lm/sr
Classification
To make it easier to understand how large a solar flare is, the size of solar flares are generally measured in the news according to several classes. Each of these units represents a different aspect of the magnitude of a solar flare, so it is important to use different units depending on the situation.
- flare class
There are five classes, A, B, C, M, and X, each of which is further classified into 10 levels. Class X flares are the largest flares.
It is usually this flare class that is reported on the news.
- Optical importance
The size of the flare, determined by the area of the solar flare (in units of one millionth of the solar surface) observed at a wavelength called the Ha line.
- S1-S5 scale (solar storm)
The Solar Radiation Storm itself is measured by a number from S1 to S5. In some cases, the impact of solar flares is measured. Both solar flares and solar radiation storms are phenomena related to solar activity, but they differ in some ways.
A solar flare is an explosive phenomenon that occurs on the surface of the sun. The release of energy from the magnetic field results in the release of large amounts of light, heat, and energetic particles. Flares vary in size, with small ones lasting only a few minutes, while large flares can persist for hours.
Solar radiation storms, on the other hand, are large-scale storms of electromagnetic radiation and particles generated by solar flares. When a solar flare occurs, plasma and high-energy particles called coronal material are ejected toward the Earth in the solar wind. When these reach the Earth, they have a variety of effects.
Reference：NOAA https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation
Reference; NASA (２０２４年５月) How NASA Tracked the Most Intense Solar Storm in Decades https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/how-nasa-tracked-the-most-intense-solar-storm-in-decades/
Observation plane
Solar flares are observed by various satellites and instruments in addition to ground-based observations. Below is a list of representative satellites and instruments.
Actually, there are quite a few satellites!
By observing electromagnetic waves and charged particles at different wavelengths, these satellites and instruments are able to obtain more multifaceted information about solar flares. Through international cooperation, data from these satellites and instruments are shared to study solar flares.
Solar Observation Satellite
ひので (HINODE)
The Solar Observation Satellite (SOS), developed and operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), was launched in 2006 and conducts observations in X-ray, ultraviolet, and visible light. It contributes to elucidating the detailed structure and movement of solar flares.
If you are a graduate student, there is a possibility that the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) will accept you if you want to do research using Hinode. If you are interested, please contactBy all means apply!.
SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory)satellite
The Solar Observation Satellite, developed and operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, was launched in 2010 to observe the surface of the Sun with high-resolution images and movies. It is useful for studying in detail the process of solar flares.
SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)
A solar observing satellite jointly developed and operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, it was launched in 1995 to observe the surface and corona of the Sun. It contributes to the study of the relationship between solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Parker Solar Probe
Developed and operated by NASA, this solar probe will be launched in 2018 and aims to elucidate how solar flares occur by making observations at extremely close proximity to the Sun.
WIND
It is a solar wind probe jointly developed and operated by NASA and ESA. By directly capturing the charged particles emitted from solar flares, it helps to study their properties in detail.
Other Satellites and Observation Instruments
Here is an amazing satellite that was not built for the main purpose of solar observation, but can also observe the sun.
GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites)
The geostationary orbiting meteorological satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States. Although the satellite's main purpose is to observe the earth's environment, it also observes X-rays emitted from solar flares and helps predict their impact on the earth.
THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms)
This is a group of magnetospheric probes operated by NASA. It observes magnetic storms caused by solar flares and helps to study their effects on the Earth.
Countermeasures against Solar Flares Global Environment
The frequency of solar flares varies with the solar activity cycle.During periods of high solar activity, strong flares are more likely to occur.
By observing solar activity, the occurrence of solar flares can be predicted to some extent.Ground-based and space-based instruments are used to monitor the magnetic field activity of the sun and solar radiation. Based on these observations, models have been developed to predict the probability and intensity of solar flares.
There may be two main categories of countermeasures against solar flares: adaptation and mitigation, as described below.
Adaptation
Various measures must be taken to prevent damage caused by solar flares.
Ensure alternative means of shortwave communication
Alternative means of communication, such as satellites and fiber-optic cables, can be secured to maintain communications even if shortwave communications are interrupted.
Enhanced Radiation Resistance of Satellites
Measures can be taken to protect the satellite electronics from radiation to prevent damage.
Power Grid Protection
Power outages can be prevented by installing protective devices to prevent excessive current from flowing in the transmission lines.
Dose control for astronauts and aircrew
Although a bit removed from the Earth, the main theme of this issue, astronauts in particular work in close proximity to the sun. Health hazards can be prevented by monitoring the radiation doses of astronauts and aircrew members and taking protective measures as necessary.
Solar flares are natural phenomena that can affect the Earth in many ways. It is important to minimize damage by observing solar activity and predicting its occurrence.
Mitigation
Measures to mitigate the effects of solar flares include.
Radiation Resistance of Satellites
Making satellites radiation resistant can prevent damage caused by solar flares.
Power grid measures
Countermeasures in the power grid can help prevent disruptions caused by geomagnetic storms.
Ozone Layer Protection
Taking steps to protect the ozone layer can help prevent the effects of UV radiation.
Water Conservation Water Pollution Countermeasures
Taking measures to prevent water contamination by radiation.
By conserving water, we can prevent the depletion of water resources.
As these examples show, solar flares can have a serious impact on Earth's water resources. There is concern that solar flare activity will increase in the future. Therefore, it is important to take measures to mitigate the effects of solar flares.
Conclusion
How was the article?
宇宙と地球環境って、密接につながっているんですよね。
This type of space weather is likely to attract more and more attention in the future!
We will continue to add more and more articles about space and the global environment as we can!
In the field of space climatology, I would like you to read a book by Hiroko Miyahara, which is a little bit far from solar flares themselves, but is very interesting and easy to understand.
Other articles about the universe are available byClicking herePlease take a look if you are interested.
Well then!
Main reference
NOAA https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
NIST SWChttps://swc.nict.go.jp/
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