Solar storms to end tech as we know it? NASA’s shield data raises alarms
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Magnetic Pulse
NASA’s LEXI is set to capture Earth’s magnetosphere “breathing” for the first time, using X-rays from the moon to visualize how it changes with solar wind intensity.
Lunar Lens
The Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) will travel aboard Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander, set to launch on January 15, 2025, for this groundbreaking study.
Credit : NASA
Shield Behavior
Earth’s magnetosphere acts as a shield, blocking harmful cosmic rays and solar winds. NASA’s Hyunju Connor explains that strong solar winds shrink this shield, while weak winds let it expand.
Solar Danger
Geomagnetic storms, caused by radiation hitting the magnetosphere, can fry electronics, knock satellites off course, and even wipe out data servers, making understanding the shield critical.
Aurora Show
When radiation from solar winds interacts with the magnetosphere, it creates stunning auroras at the poles, a phenomenon known as magnetic reconnection.
Big Questions
NASA’s Brian Walsh says lingering mysteries about space particles raining down on Earth, such as whether they fall simultaneously or in bursts, are key to protecting space infrastructure.
Space Revival
LEXI was first launched in 2012 as STORM, gathering X-ray data before returning to Earth. After refurbishment, it’s now ready to capture the first-ever full picture of the magnetosphere.
Credit : NASA
Visual Physics
LEXI’s principal investigator emphasizes this project as “science you can see,” making complex space physics accessible through striking visual imagery.
Future Protection
Connor highlights how studying Earth’s magnetosphere can help protect vital infrastructure from solar storms, ensuring safer conditions for satellites and space exploration.