Five Things I Wish They'd Told Me About Space Weather

Back in high school, we memorized Newton’s laws, dissected frogs, and learned every detail of the solar system. But space weather? That never made the lesson plan. Looking back, it is surprising—because space weather has a bigger impact on everyday life than most people realize. 🌍

From solar storms that disrupt GPS to geomagnetic activity that shuts down power grids, the Sun can affect phones, flights, and even banking systems. If someone had told me, “The Sun can knock out your internet and reroute airplanes,” I would’ve paid a lot more attention to space weather and would NOT have waited till college to learn about it.

Here's five things I wish I’d learned about space weather much earlier.

1. Space Weather Comes From the Sun’s "Mood Swings" 🌞⚡

The Sun isn’t a steady glow—it’s a restless star. It constantly blasts out solar wind (streams of charged particles). And sometimes it releases coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—giant plasma clouds that rocket toward Earth.

Earth is inside the Sun’s extended atmosphere, shielded only by its magnetic field. When storms hit, they shake that shield, and the results ripple through our modern world.

👉 See more at NASA Space Weather.

Quick facts:

• Solar flares can disrupt radio within minutes

• Geomagnetic storms can last for days

• In the 1960s, a solar storm almost caused World War III

• In 1989, a solar storm caused the Quebec Blackout, cutting power to six million people

• In 2022, 'Space Bubbles' caused communication troubles during a military operation, leading to fatalities

2. Auroras Signal More Than Pretty Skies 🌌

The northern lights are stunning. But they’re also warnings that solar particles are colliding with our atmosphere. When auroras appear unusually far south—like in Texas or Spain—it means a powerful solar storm is underway. Those same storms can damage satellites, navigation systems, and power grids.

One historic example is the Carrington Event of 1859. Telegraph wires sparked, operators were shocked, and global communications failed. Imagine if that happened with today’s internet.

👉 Read the history at the Royal Observatory on the Carrington Event.

3. GPS and Phones Are at Risk During Solar Storms 📱🛰️

GPS signals pass through the ionosphere, a charged layer of the Earth's upper atmosphere. During solar storms, that layer becomes unstable. Radio signals scatter or disappear, disrupting navigation and communications.

It’s not just about your phone giving you the wrong directions. Solar activity impacts:

• Air travel over oceans

• Farmers using GPS-guided tractors

• Military systems needing satellite timing

• Banks relying on GPS to sync financial transactions

• Even missile defense grids, like the Golden Dome for America

👉 Check today’s alerts at NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.

4. Power Grids and Flights Are Vulnerable ✈️🔌

Solar storms don’t just cause glitches—they threaten critical infrastructure.

When Earth’s magnetic field shifts, it drives geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) into power lines and pipelines. These surges overload grids. In 1989, Quebec’s grid collapsed in 90 seconds, leaving millions without power.

Flights also reroute during storms, especially near the poles, where communication signals are weaker. This means longer routes, higher costs, and more fuel burned. Airlines monitor space weather forecasts just like they track thunderstorms.

👉 Learn how Europe monitors conditions at ESA’s Space Weather Coordination Centre.

5. Space Weather Is Becoming More Critical 🚀

Every year, humanity launches more satellites—and every launch means greater exposure to solar storms.

• In 2022, a solar storm destroyed 40 newly launched SpaceX Starlink satellites (Space.com).

• Military defense relies on satellites for missile detection. A storm at the wrong moment could block early warnings.

• Everyday activities—streaming, online shopping, and financial trades—all depend on satellite timing that solar storms can disrupt.

We’re entering a new solar maximum, when activity peaks in the Sun’s 11-year cycle. That means stronger storms, more risk, and yes, more auroras.

👉 Stay updated with official forecasts at NOAA SWPC.

Final Word (Because the Sun Doesn’t Give Extra Credit) ✍️

If high school had taught me about space weather, I would’ve been hooked. I likely would have changed which college I attend and dove into the field MUCH sooner. And honestly, more people should care. It’s not just about science trivia—it’s about protecting the systems we rely on every day.

So next time you’re making small talk about “the weather,” drop this fact: “Did you know a solar storm once blacked out Quebec in 90 seconds?” It’ll spark a conversation that goes beyond clouds and rain.

Glossary of Simple Definitions

• Aurora: Glowing lights in the sky when solar particles hit Earth’s atmosphere.

• Carrington Event: The strongest solar storm ever recorded, in 1859, which disrupted telegraphs worldwide.

• Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): A massive bubble of plasma shot from the Sun.

• Geomagnetic Storm: A disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity.

• Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs): Extra electricity generated in power lines and pipelines during storms.

• GPS Disruption: When solar storms make navigation signals inaccurate.

• Ionosphere: A charged atmospheric layer that affects satellites and radio signals.

• Quebec Blackout: A 1989 event when a solar storm shut down power for six million people.

• Solar Cycle: The Sun’s repeating 11-year activity cycle.

• Solar Flare: A burst of energy from the Sun that affects satellites and radio.

• Solar Wind: Streams of particles constantly flowing from the Sun.