The Impending Threat: Solar Storms and the Internet Apocalypse

NASA scientists are studying solar storms and their potential impact on Earth's infrastructure, including the internet. Solar storms, driven by solar flares and coronal mass ejections, release solar particles and electromagnetic radiation that can disrupt satellite signals, radio communications, internet, and electrical power grids. While the chances of a cataclysmic internet outage are minimal, a recent study estimates a 1.6% to 12% chance of an extended disruption within the next decade. NASA's Park Solar Probe is gathering vital information about the sun and its solar wind, while a new computer model combining AI and satellite data can predict impending solar storms with a 30-minute warning, allowing for preparation and prevention of severe impacts on critical infrastructure.