What solar event happened in 2012?

The solar storm of 2012 was an unusually large and strong coronal mass ejection (CME) event that occurred on July 23 that year. It missed the Earth with a margin of approximately nine days, as the equator of the Sun rotates around its own axis with a period of about 25 days.

Was there a solar maximum in 2012?

Forecasters say Solar Max is due in the year 2013. On July 12, 2012, the sunspot’s magnetic field erupted, producing an X-class solar flare and hurling a billion tons of electrified plasma toward our planet.

When was the last solar EMP?

23 July 2012
The March 1989 geomagnetic storm knocked out power across large sections of Quebec. On 23 July 2012 a “Carrington-class” solar superstorm (solar flare, coronal mass ejection, solar EMP) was observed; its trajectory narrowly missed Earth.

Could a solar flare knock out all electronics?

A team of scientists warns that if the Sun unleashed a powerful type of storm called a coronal mass ejection in Earth’s direction, it could utterly destroy our entire electronic infrastructure.

What happens if a solar flare hits Earth?

If the ejection is in the direction of the Earth, particles associated with this disturbance can penetrate into the upper atmosphere (the ionosphere) and cause bright auroras, and may even disrupt long range radio communication. It usually takes days for the solar plasma ejecta to reach Earth.

Would a solar flare wipe out life on Earth?

Fortunately, no matter what, flares do not have a significant effect on us here on Earth. The Earth’s atmosphere more or less acts as a shield to prevent the cosmic radiation from reaching us. There can be measurable effects at ground level, but the amount of radiation is pretty insignificant.

When did the solar superstorm of July 2012 happen?

Before July 2012, when researchers talked about extreme solar storms their touchstone was the iconic Carrington Event of Sept. 1859, named after English astronomer Richard Carrington who actually saw the instigating flare with his own eyes.

How big was the solar storm in Canada in 2012?

By comparison, an ordinary storm that causes northern and southern lights only produces about negative 50 nT. In March 1989, the province of Quebec in Canada lost power due to an intense solar storm that was measured at negative 600 nT. The geomagnetic storm that narrow missed Earth in 2012 was twice as powerful, Riley said.

Is there going to be a solar flare in 2012?

In addition, the next solar maximum is predicted to occur in late 2013 or early 2014, not 2012. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft captured this image of a solar flare as it erupted from the sun early on Tuesday, October 28, 2003. This was the most powerful flare measured with modern methods.

What was the economic impact of the 2012 solar eruption?

A study by the National Academy of Sciences estimates that the total economic impact of such a disaster could exceed $2 trillion. Baker told NASA, “I have come away from our recent studies more convinced than ever that Earth and its inhabitants were incredibly fortunate that the 2012 eruption happened when it did