CBSE Class 11-science Answered

When a magnetic storm passes the Earth, Earth's magnetic control shrinks. Often satellites in higher orbits (especially geosynchronous orbits) and orbits that cross Earth's poles can end up outside of Earth's magnetosphere, and these satellites are then exposed to damaging cosmic rays. Satellites in low orbits (like the space station, space shuttle, Hubble, etc.) are generally still protected. The solar storm also features a “proton event,” where high-energy protons from the sun stream toward the Earth. These protons have enough energy to penetrate Earth's magnetic field, and so all satellites are in danger from these storms. The worst danger is for spacewalking astronauts, who would receive very high (perhaps dangerously high) levels of radiation. Geomagnetic storms and increased solar ultraviolet emission heat Earth's upper atmosphere, causing it to expand. The heated air rises, and the density at the orbit of satellites up to about 1,000 km (621 mi) increases significantly. This results in increased drag on satellites in space, causing them to slow and change orbit slightly. Unless Low Earth Orbit satellites are routinely boosted to higher orbits, they slowly fall, and eventually burn up in Earth's atmosphere. Another problem for satellite operators is differential charging. During geomagnetic storms, the number and energy of electrons and ions increase. When a satellite travels through this energized environment, the charged particles striking the spacecraft cause different portions of the spacecraft to be differentially charged. Eventually, electrical discharges can arc across spacecraft components, harming and possibly disabling them.