Solar storms, as you know, head towards Earth once in a while to remind us about the Sun’s incredible power. The fast-moving clouds of charged particles reached our planet this week and we are extremely lucky to be on Earth and not on Mars. Studies show that the Earth’s magnetosphere makes sure that the planet is not too affected by solar storms.

It was in 2008 that researchers got a chance to study the effects of the solar storm on two planets (Mars and Earth) at the same time and under the same solar-wind conditions. It was found that the Red Planet lost oxygen atoms in its atmosphere 10 times faster than Earth. This difference is thought to be dependent on the strength of each planet’s magnetic field. As you might know, Mars has a magnetic field that is only one-tenth as strong as Earth’s.

As scientists have long believed that the presence of a magnetic deflector shield is a good defense against charged particles from the Sun, the new results didn’t come as a surprise for the researchers.

But some discoveries made in the past few years related to the Earth’s magnetosphere have also suggested that the field is less-effective against solar storms. Studies have suggested that our planet’s magnetosphere might be transferring more energy from the solar wind to the upper part of the atmosphere when compared to smaller planets with weaker magnetospheres.

But when Mars and Earth lined up on the same side of the sun in 2008, Yong Wei, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany, and his team were able to collect data on the loss of oxygen atoms from the atmospheres of both the planets. The oxygen loss at Mars was found to be 10 times higher than at Earth.

More solar storms are expected this week and the researchers are looking forward to take advantage of a present alignment between the Sun, Earth, Mars, and Venus. Venus is important in the study as the planet has a thicker atmosphere and no magnetic field.

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Its effects are not reaching apocalyptic proportions as portrayed in some Hollywood movies. But the solar storm, which is hitting the earth right now, and began around 2 pm GMT (9 am Eastern Time), is putting some systems in a spin, more so because of the raging proton storm accompanying the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the sun impacting us at 1,400 miles per second.

The power grid and Global Positioning System (GPS) are likely to face fluctuations due to the storm, which is the biggest since 2005.  CME’s are normal in a solar cycle and earth has endured quite a bit with around 2000 similar incidents occurring in each 11-year solar cycle. What’s worrying is the S3 grade (on a scale of 5) proton storm which is already in full swing, its intensity is on the rise at this moment.

Its impact has already been felt on earth with aircraft traffic and satellite computers and networks being affected, though not on a large scale.

Proton storms interfere with the high frequency (HF) communication links between airplanes and Air Traffic Control and any disruption in it can be disastrous. Airlines have already started avoiding routes over the north pole as the polar region is where the earth is prone to the pandemonium caused by proton bursts.

Satellites in orbit will also face glitches in its imaging systems while increased electric activity might cause reboots of onboard computers. Space scientists have already taken such eventualities into consideration and have prepared their systems for it.

While GPS will be affected, average road commuter and mobile user may not feel its full brunt. Scientists and people required to use high-precision positioning equipments will face disruptions in their work.

Of course, the question is how badly human health will be affected from the radiation shower. Scientists believe there is no need to worry unless you are on a high-altitude flight when the storm hits earth.

So, the CME hitting earth today at 1,400 miles per second will cause a geomagnetic storm followed by a moderate radio blackout (high-frequency) which might last for some minutes. Power lines may get affected but not to a degree that lives will be disrupted.

Doomsday predictions will have to wait for now. The world is not likely to end today but there might be some awesome light-shows in the sky from auroras in areas farther from the poles, especially in the north side of the globe.

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