• Question: is it possible for a strong enough EMP (electro magnetic pulse) to come from the sun to disturbe all electrcal and telecomunication divices of the Earth.

    Asked by fashandchaps to Ben on 25 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Ben Still

      Ben Still answered on 25 Jun 2010:


      Periods of high activity in the Sun produces many effects here on Earth. The Sun’s magnetic field, and the charged particles flowing along with it, constantly sweeps the magnetic field of the Earth backwards out into our solar system. The boundary between the Sun and Earths magnetic field is called the magnetosphere, and this boundary protects us from this barrage of charged particles most of the time.

      In periods of high activity, or in alignment of the Earth and Suns magnetic field, then the more charged particles spat out by the Sun can reach past the usual location of the magnetosphere. And this can knock out satellites.

      There is a nice explanation in this you tube clip

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