Possible causes of destruction from space (solar storms and possible impact from an asteroid or comet) - Essay Example

The rise of scientific temperament rather than dispelling further consolidated these fears by extending new knowledge and information about space and the associated phenomenon. In that context, the longevity of earth is to a great extent a matter of coincidence and the spatial phenomenon like solar storms, and collision with asteroids or comets do have the potential to give way to an apocalypse. Solar Storms Before delving on the possible apocalyptic consequences of solar storms, one needs to delve into the scientific basis of these solar phenomenons.

Simply speaking, a solar storm may refer to solar flare, Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) or a geomagnetic storm. The solar flares mostly get noticed as an abrupt brightening on the surface of the sun (Shipman, 1987, p. 266). This brightening of the solar surface is often interpreted as a massive release of energy of gargantuan proportions (Shipman, 1987, p. 266). The solar flares result into large scale ejections of atoms, ions and electrons from the sun’s corona into the space (Shipman, 1987, p. 266). These ejections of atomic and subatomic particles resulting from a solar flare do manage to reach the earth’s atmosphere. . drastically jeopardize the modern life by causing natural disasters, earthquakes, Tsunamis, disrupting communication technologies, giving way to genetic mutations, jamming radio and satellite signals, and a plethora of other scientifically valid possibilities.

It is a possibility that the very life nurturing potential of the sun could someday lead to an apocalypse. Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), simply put is a large scale burst of magnetic fields, solar wind and plasma from the sun’s corona into space (Ridpath, 1997, p. 102). CMEs do have the ability to disrupt the life on earth. In case, per chance, a CME is directed towards the earth, it could give way to shock wave of solar particles impacting the earthly life (Ridpath, 1997, p. 102). It is a known fact that there exists a direct correlation between the solar activities and the geological and biological life on earth.

In case the sun turns into a cycle marked by massive solar eruptions and flares, shooting high energy particles into the earth’s atmosphere, it could give way to unprecedented and unheard of apocalyptic possibilities. The consequences may be as innocuous as the disruption of electric grids and communications networks, bringing to knees the contemporary technology driven civilizations, or as threatening as the disruption of earth’s atmosphere resulting in large scale natural disasters, genetic mutations culminating in morbid diseases and food shortages giving way to wars, riots and large scale genocides.

While delving on the physical, magnetic, atmospheric and climatic consequences of solar activity, one simply could not ignore its ramifications for the social, political and economic life on earth. It is a known fact that a great many wars are being fought for amassing scarce natural and mineral