Can Solar Storms Render All Electronics Useless?

AI Thread Summary
Significant solar storms, particularly coronal mass ejections, can potentially disrupt power grids and damage electronic devices, especially those with circuit boards. While motorcycles with magnetos may still operate, the impact on hybrid electric cars remains a concern as these vehicles rely heavily on electronic systems. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections can induce currents in electrical systems and pose risks to satellite electronics and high-altitude personnel. Historical evidence suggests that while life on Earth has not been significantly affected by such events, the vulnerability of modern electronics is a pressing issue. As the next solar cycle approaches, awareness of these risks is increasingly important.
stupified
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I have heard that a significant coronal mass ejection or solar storm can knock out the power grid.
Can such an event damage all types of electronics making anything with a circuit board useless?
Would motorcycles with magnetos still run?

(I might ask this question in an electrical engineer forum)
 
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stupified said:
Would motorcycles with magnetos still run?

(I might ask this question in an electrical engineer forum)

More importantly, what's going to happen to the millions of hybrid electric cars we're going to have in a few years.? The next solar cycle is on its way. :biggrin:
I'm keeping my Hummer just in case. :biggrin:

...
 
Solar storms are made up of two main phenomenal: soalr flares and coronal mass ejections. Solar Flares are sudden and short-lived enhancements acorss the electromagnetic spectrum. The solar atmosphere gets heated up to 30 or 40 million degrees during a flare and electrons and protons can be accelerated to speeds very close to the speed of light. Coronal Mass Ejections are expulsions of material from the Sun caused by the rapid release of energy in the solar atmosphere. For the largest storms, satellite electronics can be short-circuited, currents can be induced in ground-based electrical systems and the radiation dose for high altitude air crews and astronauts can reach dangerous levels.
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Good resource when teaching sight words
 
There is no fossil evidence coronal mass ejections have significantly affected life on earth. Of course, electronics could be a different story. There is no fossil evidence of electronic devices in Earth's history. I say that somewhat tongue in cheek, but, who knows?
 
Chronos said:
There is no fossil evidence coronal mass ejections have significantly affected life on earth. Of course, electronics could be a different story. There is no fossil evidence of electronic devices in Earth's history. ...?


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Creator :biggrin:

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