In an exceptional astronomical event, a phenomenon known as a “coronal mass ejection” occurred in October 2021, hurling a vast amount of solar plasma towards Earth.
This occurrence, which releases charged gaseous particles from the solar surface, can impact Earth's communication systems when it interacts with our planet's magnetic field.
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The event has been studied in detail by researchers over the past two years, and the results of these analyzes were recently published in the scientific journal Geographical Research Letters.
The peculiarity of the cosmic occurrence resides in the synchrony with which the solar particles reached not only the Earth, but also the Moon and Mars, simultaneously.
Information about this simultaneity was obtained through probes and space equipment, with emphasis on the NASA's Curiosity Mars rover and the European Space Agency's (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) English).
Such devices enabled a clearer and more comprehensive view of the phenomenon, providing data precious for understanding the impact of the solar wind on the magnetic fields and surfaces of planets involved.
This cosmic event was the 73rd recorded since 1940 and represents an important advance in understanding the interaction between the Sun and the planets of the solar system.
It is remarkable that the Earth, protected by its magnetic field, was able to contain the most harmful effects of this coronal mass ejection, while the Moon and Mars, devoid of this magnetic defense, experienced more direct impacts.
The phenomenon also revealed the unique characteristics of Mars, although the red planet does not have as strong a magnetic field as Earth.
This means that it has an atmosphere that slows down radioactive particles, minimizing the damage caused by solar events of this type.
It is essential to understand the impacts of solar flares not only for scientific research, but also for future space exploration and manned missions.
Jingnan Guo, lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of these findings for the development of protective measures in future human missions, particularly those aimed at the surface lunar.
Although the simultaneity was not exact due to the distances involved and the limitation of the speed of light, this historical record will stand as a testament to the intricate web of phenomena that shape our system solar.