Home Health How solar flares affect health

More than a hundred years ago, scientists determined that the activity of our star directly affects many processes occurring on the planet, including human health. One of the most significant phenomena is flares that regularly occur on the surface of the Sun.

Why do sun flashes happen?

Like the rest of the stars, our star is a huge ball of hot gas. This substance revolves around an invisible axis, but according to somewhat different laws, in contrast to solids. Different regions of the star have different rotational speeds. At the poles, this movement occurs at a lower speed, and at the equator, rotation is faster. In the process of rotation, the magnetic field of the star twists in a special way and rises above its surface, dragging the incandescent plasma along with it. In such places, activity increases and outbreaks are formed.

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In other words, the rotational energy of the luminary is converted into a magnetic state. Flares are where a particularly large accumulation of such energy is released. It is easier to imagine this process if you remember how an ordinary incandescent lamp glows. If the voltage in the network is too high, the lamp will burn out.

In the process of a flash, a colossal amount of energy is released. Any such flash is equivalent to an explosion of a billion kilotons of TNT. This amount of energy exceeds the energy of all currently known reserves of fuel on our planet at the same time.

The flash causes the formation of clouds of plasma, which are directed towards our planet under the influence of the solar wind. This process causes geomagnetic disturbances called storms. They have a profound effect on everything on the planet.

What are the risks of solar flares

Under the influence of the mass of particles of the Sun rushing from the surface of the luminary to the Earth, the electromagnetic field of the Earth is deformed, which causes a magnetic storm. In this case, the amount of energy sent in the direction of the Earth and the effect exerted by it directly depends on the size of the flash.

Scientists have determined that natural disasters and cataclysms are associated with periods of solar activity. It was found that most often typhoons, earthquakes and hurricanes are formed just during the period of activity of the star. Forecasts of natural disasters are made on the basis of the frequency of flares on the luminary.

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Technology is also negatively impacted. After solar flares, the quality of communication deteriorates to a large extent, space navigation equipment often breaks down. There are malfunctions in the functionality of aircraft, satellites and GPS navigation.

Solar flares are especially dangerous for astronauts if they are in open space at this time. Under the influence of a powerful flux of proton particles, the level of radioactive exposure increases many times. The inhabitants of the planet are protected from its destructive effects by the atmosphere. Astronauts, on the other hand, are deprived of such protection and can be exposed to the strongest radiation radiation. A similar charge of radiation, but to a lesser extent, is received by passengers in jet aircraft.

But solar flares also have pleasant phenomena, for example, residents of northern latitudes can admire the beautiful polar lights. With especially strong outbreaks, it can be observed in more southern regions.

How solar flares affect a person

The consequences of the increased activity of the Sun, to one degree or another, are felt by all residents. But to a greater extent, meteorological people and some age groups suffer from it:

  • Children on the days of the activity of the luminaries become especially nervous and whiny, often naughty. This is how the destructive rays affect the emotional state of babies. On such days, the immune defense decreases. baby, which can cause the development of a wide variety of diseases. On such days, children need to be given vitamins, fruits and a lot of water.
  • Elderly people feel activity by a deterioration in cardiac activity. This condition is especially dangerous with high arterial pressure... Solar activity impairs coronary circulation, increases the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. The correct action at such times is to take a blood thinner aspirin. In addition, this medicine will relieve pain. People who have suffered strokes, heart attacks, patients with ischemia and arrhythmia should keep the drugs prescribed by their doctor within the reach.
  • Motor vehicle drivers are also at risk. The fact is that the activity of the luminary is reflected in increased fatigue, loss of concentration and attention. As a result, all reactions of a person driving a motor vehicle become slower. Therefore, it is best not to drive on such days, but, if possible, spend it at home.

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Solar activity affects not only physical health, but also the mental well-being of a person. Even absolutely healthy people on such days experience increased nervousness, excitability and aggression. Other people get tired quickly, get depressed. Have mental patients solar energy emissions exacerbate disease. In this case, the relapse continues after the end of the outbreak for several more days.

Flares in the sun: video

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