Avaruussäähäly

Avaruussäähäly, or space weather alert, is a notification issued by meteorological or space weather agencies to warn about potential disturbances in the Earth's space environment. These disturbances are caused by phenomena originating from the Sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). When these events send energetic particles and magnetic fields towards Earth, they can interact with our planet's magnetosphere and atmosphere, leading to what is known as space weather.

Space weather can have a range of impacts. Geomagnetic storms, a common consequence of space weather, can disrupt radio communications, GPS navigation systems, and power grids. Satellites can also be affected, experiencing damage to electronics or operational disruptions due to increased radiation. Furthermore, intense space weather can enhance auroral displays, making the Northern and Southern Lights visible at lower latitudes than usual.

Avaruussäähäly systems are designed to provide advance notice of these events, allowing operators of critical infrastructure to take protective measures. This might involve temporarily shutting down sensitive equipment, rerouting flights, or adjusting satellite operations. The issuance of an alert is based on observations of solar activity and sophisticated modeling of how these events will propagate through space and interact with Earth. Monitoring and forecasting space weather is a crucial aspect of modern technological society's resilience.