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Chapter 16: Problem 28

Why should solar flares and coronal mass ejections be a concern for businesses that use telecommunication satellites?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Solar flares and coronal mass ejections can cause damage to satellites and disrupt their signals, leading to the potential for significant operational and financial impacts for businesses that rely on these technologies for communication and other services.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are both explosive events that occur on the sun. A flare is a sudden flash of increased brightness on the Sun, while a CME is a significant release of plasma and accompanying magnetic field from the Sun. They produce high-energy particles and radiation, which can reach earth.
02

Impact on Satellite-based Technology

These solar phenomena can cause geomagnetic storms in the Earth's magnetosphere, which can impact the operation of satellite systems. Solar flares can disrupt high frequency radio communication, while coronal mass ejections can cause geomagnetically induced current (GIC) in long electrical conductor systems, such as powerlines or pipelines. Both can damage satellites causing malfunction or total failure.
03

Implications for Businesses

Businesses that rely on telecommunication satellites for their operations, such as broadcasting, navigation, or broadband services, could face significant disruptions or losses if their satellites are damaged or if signals are disrupted by solar activity. This can lead to financial loss, compromised security and potential reputational damage for the business.

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