The sun's violent eruptions could disrupt your cell phone and satellites

Space · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While the sun provides the warmth and gravity that holds our solar system together, its surface is far from peaceful. Massive solar eruptions can travel through space, threatening the very technology we rely on for daily communication and global navigation.

The sun is a dynamic star at the heart of our solar system, exerting the gravitational pull necessary to keep everything—from massive planets to tiny debris—in orbit. Nevertheless, coronal mass ejections, which are massive solar system eruptions, often emerge from this unstable surface. These events are not merely visual spectacles; they carry the potential to cause significant damage to Earth's technological infrastructure. Beyond its role in orbital stability, the Sun's interactions with Earth drive our planet's weather, climate, and ocean currents. It is also the brightest object in our universe, a fact that has fueled human imagination since ancient times.

When these eruptions reach our planet, they can disrupt satellites and communication devices, potentially causing television signals to fail or mobile phones to lose service. The impact can even extend to terrestrial transport, such as causing high-speed trains to run loose. The danger is even more acute for astronauts; for instance, those traveling on missions like Artemis II, who venture beyond Earth's protective magnetic field, could face great danger during a solar eruption. The Sun's influence is so profound that it even shapes the auroras and radiation belts surrounding our world. This solar energy is a central theme in global mythology, appearing in the traditions of the Aztecs, Egyptians, and Chinese.

To mitigate these risks, NASA utilizes specialized instruments like the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) to monitor solar activity. By using satellites and large Earth-based observatories, scientists aim to predict these eruptions, providing a warning window of at least two to three days. This lead time is critical for protecting expensive communication equipment and preparing for the solar storm's arrival. NASA also supports various educational initiatives, such as the Sungrazer Project, which searches for comets that orbit near the Sun. These efforts help bridge the gap between complex heliophysics and public understanding.

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