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6. Infer A Communications Satellite Stops Working While in Orbit, and a Surge in an Electric Power Line Causes Blackouts in Cities

Question

6. Infer A communications satellite stops working while in orbit, and a surge in an electric power line causes blackouts in cities across a large region. What probably happened in the Sun's atmosphere shortly before these events?

Solution

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Answer

coronal mass ejection (CME) likely occurred on the Sun shortly before the satellite and power grid failures.Here's why:* **CMEs and Satellites:** CMEs release vast amounts of charged particles and radiation. These can damage sensitive electronics in satellites, disrupting their operation and potentially causing them to fail.* **CMEs and Power Grids:** When the charged particles from a CME interact with Earth's magnetic field, they can induce powerful currents in long conductors like power lines. These currents can overload the system, causing widespread blackouts.The simultaneous failure of a satellite and power grid problems strongly suggests a powerful solar event like a CME impacting Earth.