What is a magnetic storm?

Magnetic storm, also known as a geomagnetic storm, is a disruption of the magnetic field of the Earth caused by the ejections of coronal matter (CME) or the sun eruption from the Sun. The magnetic storm usually begins between 24 and 36 hours after the solar event, when the impact wave of solar wind reaches the ionosphere of the Earth. The magnetic storm usually lasts 24 to 48 hours, although some may take such long days. The effects of a magnetic storm include disruption of communication and navigation systems, intensive aurory, damage to satellites and during the most extreme storms caused by currents in electric lines and pipes that lead to outages of failure and corrosion.

Serious magnetic storms occur every ten years, with the most serious occurs once a century. They occur when energy particles from the sunstorm collide with the ionosphere and magnetosphere, create a cascade of energy particles and disrupt magnetic and electrical currents of the atmosphere. Tumbs it in the last two centuries two serious maGnetic storms, including storm 28 August - September 1859, the largest in the record, and another 13th March 1989.

During August 28 - September 18, 1859, the magnetic storm was seen to the south as Mexico, Cuba, Hawaii and Italy. Telegraph wires in Europe and North America shorted, some caused fires. Active sun spots were observed in the sun just 18 hours before the arrival of the shock wave, which triggered a geomagnetic storm. This is one of the first time the geomagnetic storm has been predicted in advance. The event became known as Solar Superstorm from 1859.

Newer magnetic storm, which occurs on March 13, 1989, was more harmful to the world's infrastructure due to greater infrastructure in general and increased dependence on sensitive electronics, including satellites. Magnetic storm caused Collapse Hydro-Qquébec Power Grid in seconds, when the currents in the wires OdfoThe transformer cores and fried protective equipment bent, causing a chain reaction that led to energy loss of six million people for nine hours and considerable economic damage. The Toronto Stock Exchange had to be temporarily closed due to damage to the computer suffered by a magnetic storm. Several satellites in orbit were damaged for several tens of millions of dollars.

Magnetic storm could be particularly dangerous for unbound astronauts, not because of the induced current of the Earth's magnetic field, but by energy particles coming directly from the sun itself. The astronaut in the conventional space on the surface of the Moon during a heavy storm could receive 7000 REM radiation, deadly doses. However, if the astronaut could be warned and covered under monthly soil, the effect would be minimal.