Some Power Grids Are Very Vulnerable to Space Weather

Solar physicists say that there are numerous ways in which the Sun can affect power grids here on Earth. They explain that the star can release either coronal mass ejections, solar flares or proton storms, and that each of these events can affect grids in a different pattern.

Interestingly, areas not located at high latitudes were demonstrated to be susceptible to experiencing the effects of these solar phenomena. For example, a pulse of solar wind that the Sun released in November 2011 affected New Zealand, which is located between 35 and 46 degrees south.

Previously, it was thought that only areas at the poles experienced the ill effects of space weather, but the new study, published in AGU's Space Weather: International Journal of Research and Applications, suggests that this is not the case.

These discoveries again highlight the need for additional missions aimed at studying the Sun, and the effects it has on our planet, SpaceRef reports.