Can Earth Be Saved?

A solar storm could destroy the planet unless we create a massive magnetic shield to protect Earth, warns expert

• Comment made by Joseph Pelton from the International Space University
• There is a worrying possibility of a devastating solar storm hitting Earth 
• These could knock out radars and satellites, affecting communications
• If scientists could create a mega-structure, with a huge electromagnetic shield, it could protect the Earth from a massive solar storm

The Earth protects itself from solar storms using an invisible shield known as the 'magnetosphere'. 

But because Earth's magnetic poles are continually moving, the magnetosphere is weakening.

This means our planet is increasingly vulnerable to the potentially devastating effects of solar flares.

Now, Joseph Pelton, former dean of the International Space University, in Illkirch-Graffenstaden in France, has called for scientists to take action by creating a massive magnetic shield to protect Earth.

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Solar storms are eruptions of magnetic energy from the solar surface. When this magnetic energy is suddenly released, this accelerates the hot gases near the surface, which can travel quickly towards the Earth

IMPACT OF SOLAR STORMS

If Earth's magnetic field was hit by charged particles from a solar storm the effects could include:

- Electric grid disruption

- Radar interference

- Solar cell damage

- Telecommunication cable disruption

- Pipeline corrosion

- Loss of synchronisation of global internet

- Airline passenger radiation 

Solar storms are eruptions of magnetic energy from the sun's surface.

When this magnetic energy is suddenly released, this accelerates the hot gases near the surface, which can travel quickly towards the Earth. 

A solar flare's 'killer electrons' can travel at up to several million miles per hour towards Earth.

Experts are now warning that humanity is not prepared to tackle a calamitous solar storm, and that the effects could be dire.

If this material collides with the Earth's magnetic field, it can affect many technologies, including satellites orbiting the planet, and radars.

In a new paper published in ROOM, Dr Joseph Pelton, said: 'Over the course of the last half century, the world has finally begun to learn that a massive asteroid or comet strike could create havoc and ruin, on perhaps a planetary scale.

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The Met Office now provides forecasts for space weather to help the public and industry prepare for solar storms that may pose a risk to infrastructure, as outlined in the graphic shown above

'But what we don't have is a global understanding that there is a much more likely danger that is increasing over time and is a very real cosmic danger that could knock out our electric power grids, kill key satellite systems for communications and navigation and defence.'

Dr Pelton also warned that a solar storm could knock out the time synchronisation of the global Internet.

This synchronisation is essential for the internet to continue to function as it does.

He added: 'A massive coronal mass ejection that brings millions of tons of ions travelling perhaps at two million kilometres an hour, could leave the world's economic systems and global infrastructure in shambles.'