UPSC Express

Solar storms:

It could refer to the following:

• Coronal mass ejection: Corona, the outer solar atmosphere, is structured by strong magnetic fields. Where these fields are closed, often above sunspot groups, the confined solar atmosphere can suddenly and violently release bubbles of gas and magnetic fields called coronal mass ejections.
• Solar flares: These are intense burst of radiations coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sun spots.
• (Sun spots: These are the dark areas on the solar surface, contain strong magnetic fields that are constantly shifting. They are as large as the Earth. Sunspots form and dissipate over periods of days or weeks.)

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Relationship of solar storms to magnetic shifts on Earth:

• The solar storms contain large amounts of charged particles and radiation.
• When they hit the Earth’s upper atmosphere, they produce the spectacular displays of the polar lights over the Arctic.
• This is the region with the most geomagnetic disruption on Earth.
• This way, the original magnetic field of the Earth gets distorted and this results in magnetic shifts.
• The most powerful storms can also damage communications systems and satellites.
• They can also impact the navigating abilities of birds and bees.