The solar storm sets off planetary alarms; Is it true that it will cause a global blackout this week?



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Multiple entries on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as information from the media indicating that Nasa He warned that the “solar flare” recorded on July 3 was “moving rapidly towards Earth” and that this week it would affect global communication systemscreate something A general blackout that will affect the whole planet.

According to these messages, “It can significantly disrupt communication networks”, especially mobile phones, satellites or systems such as GPS or 5G.

But it’s wrong.

“NASA believes solar storm will seriously affect Earth with massive blackout”For example, a post on Facebook, where the search also finds dozens of entries that share newspaper articles.

NASA warns that “a solar storm is rapidly approaching Earth, a phenomenon that can cause a massive blackout on the planet. (…) A solar storm is heading towards Earth at a speed of 1.6 million kilometers per hour, a speed that can increase over time, ”adds another message.

The data: In fact, the US Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA did not issue any such warning this week. On July 3, a solar storm hit the planet And this caused a temporary blackout of radio waves, but only over the Atlantic Ocean.

A NASA spokeswoman explained that it is impossible for the solar flare recorded earlier this month to affect Earth this week.Citing the interpretations of scientists from the Solar Physics Department of this agency

“To sum up, a solar flare with a rating of X1.5 occurred on July 3, but the effects of the eruption have already passed (it takes 8 minutes for light to reach Earth from the sun, which would have an effect on the planet) “The message says.

Solar eruption on July 3

NASA continues that the July 3 glow “caused a temporary radio blackout over the Atlantic Ocean on the 3rd, causing disruption to those using these radio signals.”

“But it happened a long time ago and a solar storm is not coming,” he said.

Includes the agency’s graphic contact for National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) And a response from Alex Young, solar physicist and associate director of science in the Division of Solar Physical Sciences, shows the area where radio signals were most affected that day.

The image shows a red zone all over the Atlantic Ocean, which according to the scientist at the time was “the part most oriented towards the sun and the part most lit by the glow”.

He finally clarified that the frequencies that were temporarily affected in this event are most often used by radio amateurs, commercial airlines, emergency management and defense.

Misinterpretation

The confusion about this astronomical phenomenon comes from a misinterpretation of information provided by NASA and published by popular newspapers and some media.

Through its Twitter account dedicated to the study of the Sun, the American space agency wrote on July 6: This weekend, the sun set off a huge solar flare. It was an X-grade glow, showing off the brightest flash. “

Later confirmed that, “Here on Earth, we are protected from the radiation of flares in our atmosphere, although they can affect communication signals.”, which can be misunderstood as a global risk of the impact of this phenomenon.

With information from EFE.

LLH

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