Proton blasts from sun can increase radiation levels impacting life on Earth
Solar radiation
Earth's magnetic field acts as a protective shield for the planet, deflecting radiations emitted by the sun. But what if the magnetic field weakens or completely vanishes? Something similar happened to Mars which lost its magnetic field years ago and as a result, its atmosphere. A few weeks back, Mars was hit by a strong solar particle event. The strength of the event can be gauged by the fact that the Mars Odyssey spacecraft couldn't continue operations as usual. The radiation emitted by the solar particles hitting the Mars surface was 30 times higher than a chest X-ray would produce.
A strong solar particle is when the sun blasts protons directly from its surface.
The Conversation, in a paper, tried to understand what would happen to Earth if a strong solar particle event hit us, and if a weak magnetic field can impact life on the planet. While weak solar particle events are common, a strong one happens only every thousand years or so. Such an event can damage the ozone layer leading to an increase in the levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at the surface.
Also Read:Discovery of 40,000-year-old river system in Antarctica is a warning sign for humans
Role of ozone layer
The ozone layer is critical to sustaining life on Earth as it absorbs harmful solar UV radiation, known to be destructive to the human body, as well as the environment. The researchers discovered that an extreme solar particle event can continue to deplete the ozone levels for over a year, making it easier for UV rays to enter the atmosphere, and consequently increasing damage to the human DNA.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
Earth's magnetic field in its normal state protects us from heavy radiation levels from the sun. However, some ionising cosmic radiation can reach the upper atmosphere, resulting in the formation of auroras. But the geomagnetic field doesn't remain the same always and records show that it has weakened by more than six per cent in the last 100 years. In fact, it has been known to be completely absent or extremely weak for hundreds of years.
An extreme solar particle event normally occurs every 1,00 years. As per records, the most recent extreme solar particle event was recorded around 993 AD.
Can weak magnetic field and solar event affect humans?
A combination of a strong solar particle event and a weakened magnetic field has happened in the past. Around 42,000 years ago, the magnetic field weakened and a temporary switch happened in the north and south poles. This situation lasted 1,000 years. Surprisingly, this is the time the last Neanderthals disappeared in Europe, while in Australia the marsupial megafauna went extinct. Several groups of animals are also known to have evolved linked to the geomagnetic field.
