At the beginning of the last century, the general public did not hear anything about the existence of magnetic storms. For the first time, our compatriot A. Chizhevsky, an outstanding Soviet scientist, biophysicist and philosopher, began to study this phenomenon. Gradually, he came to the conclusion that the influence of solar activity affects all biological processes: from the physical and mental state of a person to the harvest of crops he grows.
The impact on the psyche does not go unnoticed. It can lead to various social consequences: uprising, revolution, war, economic and political crisis. The scientist's theory called "heliobiology" laid the foundation for a separate field of biophysics. Today heliobiology is studying the influence of the sun on the body.
Each planet in the solar system has its own magnetic field, which contributes to the occurrence of aurora and magnetic storms when it interacts with the solar wind. This phenomenon has an extremely negative impact on all living organisms and electronics, and in some places leads to disruption of cellular communications.
Impact of magnetic storms on fauna
Dolphins, pigeons, bees and some other representatives of the animal world are guided in the surrounding space by the magnetic field. Their nerve endings contain grains of magnetite, which has strong ferrimagnetic properties. Magnetic storms disrupt this natural mechanism, and animals begin to behave rather strangely.
Of course, not all living things have magnetite particles. But still, with a noticeable change in the magnetic field, a negative reaction is observed. Electromagnetic phenomena affect many life processes: the frequency of nerve impulses and the speed of chemical reactions.
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Ancestral experience
The sailors were the first to notice the irregular oscillation of the compass needle at a certain time in certain places. This undesirable phenomenon, which could last for several days, was called "magnetic storms". Geophysicist I. Lamopt, who studies it, concluded that an increase in the number of sunspots leads to a sharp increase in the frequency of magnetic storms.
The 1801st year was marked by another discovery. Astronomer W. Herschel noticed that the prices for bread (depending on its yield) vary strictly in accordance with solar activity. A century later, the French astronomer F. Moreau wrote that the yield of bread and grapes, the dates of arrival of some species of birds and the period of flowering of certain varieties of plants depend on the influence of sunspots.
How to explain everything?
The electromagnetic nature is observed in the nerve impulses of every living creature, and in the chemical reactions taking place in its cells. Consequently, the body will necessarily respond to changes in the magnetic field. Too sharp fluctuations lead to an adrenaline rush. Negative consequences arise: irritation, excitability, sleep disturbance, and in especially severe cases, death.
The geomagnetic field affects animals much more than humans. In reptiles, fish and migratory birds, this dependence is especially acute. Rabbits and rats often die from excessive activity of the daylight - their reproductive function disappears or the heart muscle is weakened.
What should be feared?
Could Solar Radiation Cause Disaster? Scientists are confident that yes. When our planet is irradiated with a critical dose of radiation (and the Sun is capable of producing superflashes), not only electronics will fail. The whole living world, including man, will be in mortal danger.
In addition to the economic crisis, 2008 was remembered by the general public for the fact that, at the behest of NASA, the American Academy of Sciences read out a report on the consequences of the solar storm. According to this document, a storm on the Sun is tantamount to the fall of a huge asteroid or the beginning of a nuclear war! The speakers came to the conclusion that this sad event will definitely happen. What was the reason for such pessimism?
With the development of civilization, humanity is increasingly dependent on the amount of electricity produced, and even insignificant solar activity can create problems for us. For example, in 2003 in northern Europe, as a result of increased solar activity, a number of transformer substations were destroyed, leaving many parts of Sweden without electricity. Then one of NASA's satellites refused to work.
A similar story repeated itself a couple of years later. Scientists warn of the prevailing prerequisites for the formation of powerful solar storms. Is it really necessary to prepare for Armageddon, described on the pages of the Bible and in the texts of some other sacred books?
How should you view forecasts?
Magnetic storms affect our planet and all near-earth space. A storm of this kind can irritate the Earth's magnetic field, which can lead to the most unexpected consequences.
In the fall of 1859, the largest geomagnetic storm in the entire history of the Earth occurred. This natural phenomenon has been dubbed the "Carrington Event." All transformers at power plants located in Europe and North America have completely burned out. Telegraph lines were put out of action by a powerful impulse.
Astronomers are currently working on forecasting space weather and the relationship of phenomena observed in the solar system. The emission of radiation reaches the Earth within 2-3 days. This time is quite enough to study it and predict what effect should be expected from it.
The events taking place in space are not repeated. Solar emissions are a random phenomenon and it occurs at different speeds and amplitudes. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to predict space weather, but still there are quite real forecasting techniques. They are actively used during the launch of spacecraft and in the process of flight control.
In April 2014, there was a peak in solar activity. During that year, astronomers counted over a hundred spots on the Sun. We are currently in anticipation of a period of low activity of the daylight. However, the cycle continues, so the appearance of new spots is not far off.
According to forecasts, the next minimum will fall on the period from 2019 to 2020. In general, a decrease in solar activity does not bode well for us. Gradually, the upper layers of the atmosphere will cool and become denser, and space debris will move closer to Earth.