Less than a week after the software incident that led to the cancellation of thousands of flights, a solar storm is expected in outer space, with experts warning that power grids, communications networks and satellite operations around the world could be affected.
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Following solar flares, the solar storm emits particles that interact with Earth’s magnetic field. The phenomenon can severely affect satellite communications, including GPS services, and consequently sea and air traffic, according to a report by the US space agency’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
Thus, flights could register further delays. For maritime traffic, the effects of a solar storm can be related to the loss of the correct sailing direction. In addition, the storm can trigger power outages.
A solar or geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of the Earth’s magnetosphere – the area around Earth controlled by the planet’s magnetic field.
