Possible causes of destruction from space ( solar storms and possible Essay

Possible causes of destruction from space ( solar storms and possible impact from an asteroid or comet) that could lead to an apocalypse - Essay Example 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. 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. It is a possibility that the solar flares accompanied by a large scale energy release do have the potential to disrupt and even destroy the life on earth. It is a known fact that the sun’s energy does influence electromagnetic fields and the weather on earth. An unprecedented solar activity could someday drastically impact the human survival. They have the potential to drastically jeopardize the modern life by causing natural disasters, earthquakes, Tsuna mis, 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.