The sun is a peaceful star that gives us light, warmth, and serves as a beacon in the sky. It has been a part of our lives for thousands of years, inspiring awe and delight from countless generations. That’s why it may come as a surprise that the sun can, potentially, sometimes break – not only metaphorically, but in physical form as well.
In September 2020, the enormous energy of the sun shifted dramatically when a chunk of the sun broke off and arced away from its original source, forming what is known as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). This phenomenon happened for the first time in recorded history and it is believed to be caused by a long standing disturbance in the turbulent sea of solar energy we call the sun’s solar wind.
In this article, we’ll explore what it means when a piece of the sun “breaks” off, why it happens, and the potential implications it could have on our planet.
What is a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)?
A Coronal Mass Ejection, sometimes referred to as a CME, is a large release of plasma and accompanying magnetic fields from the solar corona. The corona is a region of intense ultraviolet radiation that surrounds the inner core of the sun. The magnetic fields within a CME contain particles, such as electrons and protons, along with energy and high-temperature plasma.
The size and power of an individual CME can vary greatly, ranging from approximately one to one-thousand times the mass of the entire Earth. Generally, the more powerful a CME is, the greater its potential effects on our planet and its inhabitants.
When Do Coronal Mass Ejections Happen?
Most CMEs are associated with solar flares, solar prominence eruptions and coronal holes, which are all caused by a variety of physical processes within the turbulent environment of the sun. Solar events such as these occur regularly, with the sun releasing an average of one-to-two CMEs each day.
CMEs can be violently explosive, shooting plasma outwards from the sun’s surface at speeds of thousands of miles per second. This makes them some of the most powerful processes in the solar system and gives them the potential to be very destructive.
What are the Implications of a Coronal Mass Ejection?
When a CME is heading towards the Earth, its implications can be far-reaching. The magnetic field of a CME can interact with the Earth’s own magnetic field, creating geomagnetic storms. These storms occur far away from the sun, and their intensity can range from mild to severe.
In the worst-case scenario, geomagnetic storms can disturb the Earth’s entire magnetosphere and induce powerful electric currents in the ionosphere, disrupting radio communications and navigation systems. In extreme cases, a CME could cause massive power outages and interrupt supply to telecom operators and utilities.
Other potential risks of a CME include radiation exposure, radioactive particles in the atmosphere, and an increase in charging capacitors in the power grid, which can cause circuit breakers to trip, leading to power outages.
What Can We Do to Protect Against a Coronal Mass Ejection?
The first line of defence against a CME is to monitor its progress and detect any potential disturbances in the electromagnetic environment. This can be done with the help of satellites and other technology that can detect and measure radiation and magnetic fields.
While there’s no way to stop a CME from affecting our planet, there are a few precautionary measures we can take to protect ourselves. By understanding the phenomena and having built-in safeguards in our national power grids and telecommunications networks, we can minimise the damage caused by a CME.
For instance, operators of critical infrastructures can take actions such as temporarily disconnecting transformers and switching circuits to reduce the risk of the CME’s magnetic field inducing dangerous currents in the system. As a result, these measures can help to protect public safety, telecommunications, and ultimately, our way of life.
While the sun is a brilliant source of light and heat, it can also be unpredictable and can potentially “break,” releasing intense forces that can be incredibly destructive. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are one of the most powerful processes in the solar system and can cause disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field and ionosphere, leading to wide-spread power outages and communication disruptions.
Although there’s no way to completely prevent CMEs from happening, understanding the phenomena and having built-in safeguards can help us to minimise the damage. By taking precautionary measures such as temporarily disconnecting transformers and switching circuits, we can protect ourselves from the powerful forces of a CME.
