A once-in-century solar storm could fry power grids and knock out satellites

Here’s why scientists worry it could happen soon

 

The sun is always fizzing and popping and this constantly sends solar energy toward the Earth. But sometimes it’s more serious.

On an average day, its vast solar energy is deflected without causing much damage. But every so often, the sun sends a storm so powerful it can tear open the Earth’s magnetic fields.

If such a storm hit tomorrow, it would cause technological chaos that could “cripple economies and endanger the safety and livelihoods of people worldwide,” per NASA.

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Luckily, these storms are very rare. But our sun is getting restless ahead of a 20-year peak of activity, meaning there’s more chance one could come to Earth in coming years, experts told Insider.

And we’ve never been more vulnerable.

Continue here: yahoo