The vast majority of scientists agree that the world is not ready for the next big storm from space. Nine out of ten space weather experts said that without an accurate space weather forecast, Earth would seriously damage its infrastructure. Just over half of the 144 scientists polled about the dangers of geomagnetic storms said current forecasting capabilities were insufficient to prevent space weather from wreaking havoc on homes.

Research led by the University of Reading and Apollo Academic Surveys shows that 90% of respondents believe a strong space storm will damage satellites and cause widespread communication problems. Four out of five scientists expect a power outage due to a major disturbance from space.

One of the authors of the study, space weather expert Dr. Luke Barnard said: “Space storms can have a huge impact on our technological lifestyle. Power outages can last from a few hours to several days. It will be very difficult to get around in cars and airplanes if GPS is working due to malfunctioning satellites and some radio communications.

“The vast majority of space weather experts believe we are unprepared to avoid the effects of the worst solar storms. Scientists generally agree that we need more observations of the Sun and space to understand and improve the computer models we use to predict and predict space weather. Advances in space weather forecasting will allow people to plan better and avoid the worst effects of solar storms.”

Geomagnetic storms occur when particles known as the solar wind and the Sun’s magnetic field come into contact with the Earth’s own magnetic field. These storms cause intense northern lights, but they can also damage technology on the ground and in space, such as power grids. The space weather experts interviewed were asked a series of questions about the risks posed by geomagnetic storms.

• 51% believe the scale of future geomagnetic storms could surpass even the largest storms recorded in the last two centuries, including the historic Carrington event of 1859.
• Opinions differ on when the next unplanned regional power outages caused by space weather might occur, but experts estimate the probability of unplanned regional power outages within the next 10 years at 33%. About 40% of respondents expressed doubts about the current accuracy of space weather forecasts.

When asked how best to use $1 billion to improve space weather forecasting, a significant number of experts surveyed suggested deploying a constellation of small satellites near the Sun. These satellites will provide direct measurements of the solar wind before it reaches Earth, providing more accurate forecasts and proactive action.

Others said funding should be invested in ground-based telescopes to monitor space weather 24/7 and create new research and data analysis projects. Source