Weather warning system on the universe

When solar storms hit the earth, the grid and satellites can suffer heavy losses. So researchers have developed an early warning system of weather on the universe.

'During an 11-year solar cycle, about 10,000 solar storms occurred. In which, about 40 storms hit the earth, " according to Dr. Volker Bothmer, University of Göttigen, who is leading the development of a first prototype of Europe's early warning system for the weather on the Universe. The system analyzes the data provided by space observatories, based on which calculate the strength, direction, speed and evolution of solar storms as well as their impact on the left. AFFECTS , the name of the system, worth about 2.5 million Euro.The AFFECTS project partners include universities, research institutes, and project centers. weather newspaper, astronomical observatory, enterprises of Germany, Norway, Belgium and Ukraine.

Volker Bothmer said: 'Based on the analysis of these data, it is possible to predict the nature of the solar storm, the time, the great time when the storm reaches the earth and the impact of the storm on the earth. " The calculation time for a clear result is at most an hour. Since the distance from the sun to the earth is about 150 million km, the warning time is at least 12 hours.

Volker Bothmer, sitting at the computer with various sun shots of the "SDO" satellite (Solar Dynamics Observatory).(Photo: wiwo.de)

What can solar storms cause?

Small solar storms, also known as sun streaks, are perfectly normal. However sometimes there are giant air bubbles that fire from the surface of the sun at speeds of up to 2,000 km / second through interplanetary space. In the process, a huge amount of matter will be released. And this material mass can interfere with magnetosphere (Magnetosphere).

The book is about 50,000 km from the earth and forms a protective zone for our planet before the solar storms.'When the fundamental particle storm reaches the boundary area of ​​the magnetosphere, it is possible in certain circumstances to have a magnetic reaction that can form a so-called geomagnetic storm) ,' according to Alexi Glover. , the astronomer of ESA in Madrid, "The continuous wind in interplanetary space is perfectly normal, but strong storms have great potential for interference."

Solar storms paralyzed the grid

For example, in 2003 a solar storm made the electricity network in a large area of ​​Sweden paralyzed and made the European aviation system shut down, many flights in the United States were canceled. . The 'Midori 2' research satellite worth € 390 million was lost.

In 1989, due to the impact of the solar storm, a large area of ​​the province of Québec (Canada) lost power, affecting the lives of six million people in Montreal.

Solar storms also create extremely spectacular natural images. A breathtaking source of northern light forms a blue, red, yellow and purple ribbon on the night sky. When the storms are particularly strong, these images not only show up in the northern arctic circle, but even in Germany can be admired.

The researcher Volker Bothmer said, 'We also carefully observed this natural phenomenon to know the time when the solar storm spreads to the earth' . According to the astrophysicist, the early warning system of the weather on the universe helps people limit the damage that solar storms cause on earth.

All research results of this new warning system are published immediately by researchers on the internet via the website: www.affects-fp7.eu.