coronal mass ejections

Solar storms, specifically coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can cause outages on Earth by releasing highly charged particles that can induce a current in the electrical system, potentially frying transformers and causing blackouts. In the past, solar storms have disrupted communication systems, such as the telegraph system in 1859 and power grids in 1989. While the likelihood of a major solar event causing an internet blackout is uncertain, experts believe there is about a 1% chance each year. However, with advanced technology, such as satellites monitoring solar activity, emergency officials could potentially prepare the power grid and minimize damage from a solar storm.