Earth’s History with Solar Storms

What are Solar Storms?

Solar storms are a phase in the Sun’s solar cycle in which large bursts of energy, light, and solar material are released into space. These bursts are in the form of solar flares, which are the electromagnetic radiation that travels to Earth from the Sun at the speed of light. Once these solar flares reach the Earth, we are occasionally able to see light by what is known as aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights. This phase in the Sun’s solar cycle lasts typically around 11 years and consists of regular storms and disturbances.

Significant Solar Storms

7176 B.C.E. - Through extensive research in Greenland and Antarctica, particles similar to the particles of solar storms were found dating all the way back to 7176 B.C.E.. This led scientists to believe that somewhere around this time, there was a massive solar storm that did actual damage to Earth’s atmosphere through an increase of chlorine and beryllium gas.

774 C.E. - The most powerful solar storm within a span of 10,000 years was in 774. Evidence of the solar flare was found within tree rings. According to SYFY, scientists discovered that isotopes of carbon were much more common in tree rings from the year 774.

1989 - One of the most extreme solar storms recorded in history occurred on March 13th, 1989. An extreme eruption (the size of approximately 36 Earths) of solar energy occurred on the surface of the Sun which reached Earth just two days later. The blast interfered with Earth’s magnetosphere and set off a geomagnetic superstorm.

2024 - On October 11th, we witnessed a spectacular display of aurora borealis in Halifax, caused by a solar storm so extreme that closer to the center, scientists feared that there might have been power outages caused. 

What Dangers Could Come from Solar Storms?

Extreme solar storms could cause damage to satellites and cell phones. They could also interfere with radio transmissions, and have in the past caused several blackouts across North America.

How can Scientists track Solar Storms?

A spacecraft at NASA is able to track space weather using data on what are called “sun spots”. These are disturbances shown on the surface of the sun are storms that consist of frequent explosions. Although solar storms are very hard to predict, scientists at NASA know when the Sun is active or inactive. They are able to predict that 2024-25 will be a strong year for solar storms, seeing as the Sun has reached its maximum solar phase.

Work Cited

Hadhazy, Adam. “A Scary 13th: 20 Years Ago, Earth Was Blasted with a Massive Plume of Solar Plasma [Slide Show].” Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2009, www.scientificamerican.com/article/geomagnetic-storm-march-13-1989-extreme-space-weather/.

Johnson-Groh, Mara . “How NASA Tracked the Most Intense Solar Storm in Decades - NASA Science.” Science.nasa.gov, 16 May 2024, science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/how-nasa-tracked-the-most-intense-solar-storm-in-decades/

Metcalfe, Tom. “Ice Holds Evidence of Ancient, Massive Solar Storm.” Astronomy Magazine, 3 Mar. 2022, www.astronomy.com/science/ice-holds-evidence-of-ancient-massive-solar-storm/.

Plait, Phil. “In 774 AD, the Sun Blasted Earth with the Biggest Storm in 10,000 Years.” SYFY Official Site, SYFY, 30 Dec. 2020, www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/in-774-ad-the-sun-blasted-earth-with-the-biggest-storm-in-10000-years.

Plait, Phil. “The Threat of a Solar Superstorm Is Growing—and We’re Not Ready.” Scientific American, 26 Apr. 2024, www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-threat-of-a-solar-superstorm-is-growing-and-were-not-ready/.