What if our Sun became too active?

With enough notice and preparedness we could negate the dangers and simply enjoy the greatest light show of all time

All eyes to the skies If major solar activity were to threaten Earth, our solar science community and their legion of orbiters as well as land-based observatories would need to work out the likelihood, scale and arrival date of a direct hit.

Planes take the long way around To avoid endangering staff and passengers with exposure to high radiation levels, operators of transatlantic flights would be encouraged to avoid usual ‘over the poles’ routes.

Astronauts take refuge During an intense solar storm any planned spacewalks are cancelled and astronauts would be asked to set themselves up in the most shielded modules of the station.

Satellites switched to safe mode

If given sufficient notice of an incoming solar storm satellite operators would be encouraged to switch any orbiting units to safe mode.

Saving power

To avoid widespread blackouts power companies will need significant stocks of replacement transistors and crew deployed on the ground to tend to damaged parts of their grids

The greatest light show on Earth

One positive effect of intense solar activity is the chance for more people to enjoy the northern and southern lights at much lower latitudes than usual are bathed in aurorae.

Solar surveyors

In order to better understand and anticipate solar weather space agencies have sent up a family of orbiters, satellites and probes.