5
$\begingroup$

Would it be possible to prevent or divert a massive solar flare (0.035 watts per meter^2 1-8 Angstrom Wavelength or approximately X30 on the solar flare scale https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/help/what-are-solar-flares)? If so, how would we do it (what are the energy requirements, proximity requirements, size of vessel -- computable)?

For instance how hard would it be to change the sun's magnet reconnection to cancel the flare? Or better yet divert it?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ "Solar Flare" or "Solar Mass Ejection"? $\endgroup$
    – Michael Kutz
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 1:23
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ In one word: No. Or in a picture: relfe.com/Images/Solar_System_3.jpg $\endgroup$
    – Karl
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 2:21
  • $\begingroup$ You didn't include the "hard science" tag, so is this Space Opera in the E. E. “Doc” Smith mould? Or do you actually want something “realistic” for our present-day tech level [in which case @Karl is right on the money]? $\endgroup$
    – Will Crawford
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 2:36
  • $\begingroup$ If possible hard science and space opera. If I had to choose hard science. Thank you for alerting me to these tags. $\endgroup$
    – Englishman Bob
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 14:04
  • $\begingroup$ @Michael Kutz I was thinking solar mass ejection. $\endgroup$
    – Englishman Bob
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 14:09

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

With current technology, the most you can do is hope. Hope that it doesn't happen, that if it happens it doesn't come towards us, and if it does come towards us, may an eclipse happen so that the Moon shields us from it.

In the future, we may be able to build a Dyson Sphere. If it has a radius smaller than 1 AU, it may protect Earth from flares (and coronal mass ejections as well). It is going to have to withstand these things in order to be stable anyway.

A civilization even more advanced than what it takes to build a Dyson Sphere may be able to manipulate stars into behaving. Such a civilization will have reached a point where science and technology are indistinguishable from magic for us.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .