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?

coronal mass ejection (CME) likely occurred on the Sun shortly before the satellite and power grid failures.<br /><br />Here's why:<br /><br />* **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.<br /><br />* **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.<br /><br />The simultaneous failure of a satellite and power grid problems strongly suggests a powerful solar event like a CME impacting Earth.<br />