Magnetic storms are a phenomenon associated with. What is a magnetic storm? How magnetic storms affect human health

The expression "magnetic storms" has long and firmly entered our lives. There are about four magnetic storms on our planet every month. Their impact on human health is obvious. After all, at this time the condition of many people worsens, the head hurts, body aches are felt. Doctors are absolutely sure that people's well-being depends to a large extent on geomagnetic disturbances. Let's try to understand their nature.

Impact on a person

What is the effect of magnetic storms on human health? The symptoms are generally the same for everyone:

• a person begins to feel a strong causeless fatigue;
• headaches begin to bother;
• Many people have heart palpitations.

But in people with chronic diseases, the effect of this unusual natural phenomenon is expressed as follows:

• people suffering bronchial asthma it becomes harder to breathe;
• in hypertensive patients, pressure often jumps;
• even healthy people irritability may increase, causeless anxiety may appear, performance may decrease;
• people with an unstable psyche may experience depression or bouts of aggression.

First steps for such ailments

Although magnetic storms sometimes affect human health quite tangible, doctors believe that you do not immediately need to start drinking some serious medicines on your own. It is better to consult a doctor and try to help the body overcome the reaction to it with his help. But if you just feel weak, herbalists suggest to cheer up with the help of brain-activating spices, which almost everyone has at home:

• ginger;
• cardamom;
• nutmeg;
• thyme.

Take a teaspoon of each spice, add a teaspoon of black tea and brew an invigorating drink in a thermos. However, if you do not have time in the morning for this, you can drink one of the available antispasmodics, such as:

• "Baralgin".
• "Spazmalgon".
• "Bral" and others.

You can take a dissolvable aspirin, but before that you need to eat something.

The impact of magnetic storms on various areas of activity

It is noticed that they can affect many areas of human activity. They entail disruption of communications, navigation systems spaceships and may even lead to destruction. energy systems. In the 30s of the twentieth century in France, in Nice, it was noticed that the frequency of heart attacks and hypertensive crises increased sharply on days when the local telephone exchange malfunctioned, up to its complete stop. It was later determined that magnetic storms were the cause of the disruption of telephone communications. Their influence on human health, based on such observations, of course, is beyond doubt.

Magnetic storms and phases. Impact on human health

Science defines a magnetic storm as a disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field, or, in other words, a magnetic field created by intraterrestrial sources. This phenomenon may continue for several days. The nature of a magnetic storm is an interaction the so-called solar wind with our planet's magnetosphere. First of all, the magnetic field changes one of the most important physical characteristics health human - viscosity blood. This entails a change in the work of the whole organism.

The most dangerous are the drops, which are most often caused by the Sun. The human body does not have time to adapt to such changes that affect the blood, and therefore, aged people and those who, for some reason, have weakened immunity, are the first to suffer from magnetic storms. As for the phases of the moon, scientists believe that human body does not depend on her so much that she can cause serious changes in his biorhythm. Yes, along with the Sun, being also space body, it can, of course, affect the human body, but so insignificantly that this effect goes almost unnoticed.

Effect of magnetic storms on blood vessels

A change in blood viscosity can lead to the formation of clots in it and a deterioration in gas exchange. The body experiences stress caused by an increase in the release of adrenaline into the blood. At the same time, during jumps in the Earth's magnetic field, the human body reduces the production of melatonin, which affects the body's resistance to stress. This leads to drops in blood pressure, which can lead to a severe headache, difficulty breathing. There is a lack of oxygen in the blood, which leads to a number of negative sensations:

• there are pains in the region of the heart;
• the head begins to spin;
• darkens in the eyes, etc.

All this only increases the stressful state to which the body has already undergone. This may well lead to a hypertensive crisis. Fortunately, for most people, the effects of magnetic storms are limited to joint pain, insomnia, and exhaustion. Children become overly restless and capricious. In this section, we took a closer look at how magnetic storms affect human health. Next, we will talk about how to deal with such phenomena.

How to reduce the impact of magnetic storms on humans

First of all, a person affected by a magnetic storm must prepare for it. Warned by forecasters about the upcoming changes, he should first have a good rest, ideally just sleep off. On a rested body, the impact of external stimuli will be minimal. In addition, these days you need to plan work that is not associated with heavy work. physical labor. If a person is healthy, he can conduct his usual business as usual, but not complicate them with additional loads. You need to walk more and give preference to light diet food. We should never forget the impact magnetic storms have on human health. How to reduce it is another question. It all depends on the person himself, the implementation of all the above recommendations.

Water treatments to protect the body from magnetic storms

Magnetic disturbances in the atmosphere affect the state of vessels. They become less elastic, the blood moves through them more slowly, and the organs receive less oxygen. Therefore, the vessels need training. Water will help you with this.

• Take a contrast shower twice a day. It not only improves the functioning of blood vessels, but also perfectly tones.
• Try to devote one or two days during the week to swimming in the pool.
• It is advisable to visit the sauna once a month.
• And on the eve of a magnetic storm, it is very useful to take soothing baths with sea ​​salt, coniferous extract, essential oils valerian, mint, orange and others.

It turns out that the impact of magnetic storms on human health is not so terrible. How to protect yourself from them? There are enough ways. The main thing is to show desire and perseverance.

Magnetic storms: impact on human health. How to protect yourself from an unpleasant phenomenon

• First of all, it is necessary to reduce physical activity to a minimum. Do not make sudden movements that can cause pressure drops. You need to walk slowly, at a moderate speed.
• It is advisable to take sedative herbal preparations that relieve emotional stress. It can be motherwort, valerian or herbal preparations.
• You can not include in the diet foods that can retain fluid in the body. This applies to pickles, hot spices, smoked meats. At the same time, drink plenty of green tea or plain water, which will help reduce blood viscosity.
• You can do breathing exercises, which helps to saturate the blood with oxygen.
• Ventilate the room you are in and spend more time outdoors.

A healthy lifestyle helps to maximize your well-being during magnetic storms.

Conclusion

If you are exposed to magnetic storms, then first of all keep track of the days on which solar flares are most likely. If you know exactly when magnetic storms will occur, their impact on human health can be minimized. Spend these days in a calm atmosphere, exclude the possibility of stressful situations don't accept important decisions, avoid drinking alcohol. You can go to the theater or cafe, take a walk in the park. In addition, it is important to understand that geomagnetic changes in nature have always existed, they are inevitable and will be repeated with a certain frequency. Do not be afraid of magnetic storms, as a feeling of fear can lead to a deterioration in well-being. Keep a positive attitude and stay healthy!

Some complain of a sudden malaise, and a neighbor, on the contrary, of an unsatisfactory psychological and the physical state. It is especially noteworthy that the nature of the occurrence of such an ailment is unknown. But the reason for this is a magnetic storm. What is this phenomenon and how does it affect the body? Scientists have figured it out.

What is a magnetic storm?

It is fair to call such a phenomenon a geomagnetic storm. This is a kind of natural hydration of our Earth's magnetic field into emerging flares that propagate to the Sun. As a result of such a “shock”, the Sun throws out infected microparticles, which are carried away by the solar wind to high speed. It is also noteworthy that after a few days the particles are able to reach the Earth. But such a process should not be feared, our planet also has its own electromagnetic field, which protects living creatures from negative impact. Electroparticles located perpendicular to the surface penetrate even into the deepest layers. Thus, it is precisely the “defensive” reaction, during which a rapid change in characteristics is carried out electromagnetic field and is recognized to be called a magnetic storm.

What causes magnetic storms to occur?

Magnetic storms may arise on various backgrounds, and their nature of appearance is unexpected. In addition, the speed of the solar wind varies from 550 to 1100 km/s. Thus, it is the solar wind, which interacts with the magnetic field of our planet, that provokes the occurrence of a magnetic storm, accompanied by diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Why is she dangerous?

It is known that the appearance of a magnetic storm rapidly impairs the production of melatonin, while in the adrenal cortex it is stimulated great amount cortisol, which is responsible for stress. This phenomenon provokes a general weakness of the body, as well as anxiety, tachycardia and narrowing of arterial vessels and increased pressure.

If a magnetic storm lasts for a long period, then this can lead to a failure of biorhythms, which provokes neurosis, as well as a violation of the hormonal background.

It is also noteworthy that even small storms can be a significant reason for serious illness. Doctors noted that it is during magnetic storms that there is an increased mortality due to strokes and heart attacks, as well as ambulance calls due to hypertensive crises, as well as pathological disorders in the heart.

How does it affect a person

The most "popular" reaction to magnetic storms is increased headaches, as well as increased heart rate. Most often, various dizziness, decreased activity and insomnia occur. Adrenaline, which is known to increase blood pressure, begins to be rapidly produced. This phenomenon is fraught with hemorrhage in the brain.

A few days before the occurrence of the phenomenon, people begin to feel very unwell, and many during the storm itself. Take note that during electromagnetic storms blood thickens, which affects the deterioration of oxygen metabolism. The lack of oxygen in the body is especially felt by the brain, as well as all the nerve endings, which are “responsible” for the occurrence of headaches, as well as joint pain. During magnetic storms, anxiety and apathy increase. It becomes impossible even to perform urgent and necessary work.

A magnetic storm is a phenomenon that has not yet been fully studied by world scientists, remaining a mystery to them and a reason for numerous disputes and experiments.

We all have heard more than once about such a mysterious phenomenon as magnetic storms, as well as the fact that they arise as a result of the influence of our luminary. In this article, we will take a closer look at what magnetic storms are and find out how they affect the sphere of human activity and the people themselves.

One of the distinguishing features of the Earth is its magnetosphere - a constant magnetic field that envelops the planet and prevents the harmful effects of cosmic radiation on living organisms that live on the Earth's surface. In the direction of the Sun, the earth's magnetosphere extends for about 10 Earth radii, and in the opposite direction - for about 100 Earth radii. By the way, the origin and retention of the Earth's magnetic field has not been clarified for certain to this day. From existing theories dominated by the assumption that the constant field is generated by internal electric currents arising on the surface of liquid metal earth's core due to the temperature difference in its various layers.

Variable magnetic field emanating from the Sun

In addition to the constant magnetic field of the Earth, an alternating magnetic field is also emitted, caused by various external sources, mainly the Sun.

Solar Activity

As you know, solar activity has its maxima and minima, which are determined by . Changes in the magnetic field of the Sun, directly related to the 11-year solar cycle, periodically cause emissions of solar matter into the interplanetary medium. The solar matter itself is represented by plasma, mostly helium-hydrogen, - a set of highly ionized (charged) particles. The flow of such particles ejected by the Sun is called.

Depending on the phase of the 11-year solar cycle, there is a possibility of a solar flare, which is often attributed to affecting the Earth's magnetosphere. As a result of the interaction of individual parts of the solar magnetic field with different polarity (for example, the collision of sunspots arising as a result of reaching the surface of the Sun lines of force electric field) there is an explosive release of solar energy, mostly in the form of electromagnetic radiation, hence the name “flare”. This phenomenon is observed directly on the solar disk and is sometimes mistaken for a coronal mass ejection, which has a different effect on the Earth's magnetic field.

Unlike a solar flare, which releases energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation and covers almost all layers of the Sun, a coronal mass ejection occurs only within the solar corona, and most of his energy is not on electromagnetic radiation, but on the acceleration of huge masses of solar matter. This substance, consisting of charged particles, when it enters the Earth's magnetosphere, causes phenomena such as magnetic storms. Coronal mass ejections are many times more energetic than solar flares.

What is a magnetic storm?

The phenomenon of a magnetic storm originates from the interaction of ionized, charged particles arriving from interplanetary space with the Earth's magnetic field. As a result, the latter begins to resent, hesitate, tremble.

Let's take a closer look at the Earth's magnetosphere, which is characterized by the so-called radiation belt - a region of the geomagnetic field in which charged particles, such as electrons and protons, linger and accumulate. Conventionally, the radiation belt can be divided into the inner one, located under the most powerful part of the Earth's magnetic field, and the outer one, located on the outer side of the magnetosphere.

Charged particles accumulated in the Earth's radiation belt at a distance of 10,000 - 60,000 km form electric currents in the form of a torus lying in the plane of the earth's equator. This phenomenon is called ring current. Fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, called magnetic storms, mainly manifest themselves as changes in the ring current.

Schematic representation of the earth's magnetic field

Impact on the technosphere

Since during a magnetic storm the magnetic flux passing through a closed conducting circuit can change, electromagnetic induction occurs, that is, an electric current is generated in this circuit. Such frames on the surface of the Earth are power lines, railway lines, gas and oil pipelines, and so on. The occurrence of such currents can lead to various kinds of breakdowns and even catastrophes. famous example The aftermath of a magnetic storm is the 1989 disaster that occurred in the Canadian province of Quebec. As a result of a magnetic storm, the resulting induced electric currents in the Quebec power system burned out the transformers. The entire province was out of power for 9 hours.

The occurrence of inductive currents in pipelines leads to damage to the anti-corrosion protection, which significantly affects the life of the pipeline.

The combined effect of coronal mass ejections and solar flares also affects space technology, such as electrostatic discharges on satellites or damage solar panels. Magnetic storms also affect the on-board equipment of aircraft, including passenger ones, several thousand of which fly daily. In addition, one of the consequences of the impact of a geomagnetic storm on the Earth's atmosphere is the swelling of the latter (an increase in the density of the atmosphere). For this reason, the trajectory of satellites and orbital stations may be disturbed. A similar event occurred in 1979, when the only US orbital station, Skylab, began to rapidly decline, and, unable to rise to the desired orbit, was directed by the control center to be flooded.

Impact on a person

During the heightened solar activity can become very hot due to magnetic storms earth atmosphere, which leads to a change in its pressure. Similar changes can affect people with cardiovascular disease. According to statistics, during magnetic storms, due to the deterioration in the well-being of such people, the frequency of emergency calls increases by 20%.

It is known that oscillations occur in the human body at various levels, and among them several resonances (about 10 Hz) can be distinguished, which coincide with the resonances upper layers atmosphere (ionosphere), irradiated and ionized as a result of solar activity. Today, a number of studies of the relationship between the ionosphere and human health are being carried out.

It is difficult to say anything concretely about the influence of magnetic storms, although research in this area is being actively conducted. According to surveys and observations, as well as the statistics obtained in this way, one can note an increase in the incidence of migraines, headaches and joint pain, insomnia or drowsiness, tachycardia and exacerbation of chronic diseases in people. There are a number of medical, and not only, ways to mitigate the impact of magnetic storms on humans.

Obvious is the harm of increased solar activity (flares on the Sun) for people in space or on board aircraft. During solar flares, as mentioned earlier, a large number of energy is released in the form of radiation, which adversely affects the human body.

The article tells about what a magnetic storm is, as a result of what space activity it occurs and how it can be dangerous for people.

Space

We are surrounded by endless empty space, where only occasionally clusters of planets or stars are found. And the latter, by the way, since ancient times have riveted human attention to themselves and even helped, as was the case with the North Star or milky way, according to which salt merchants were guided.

And people almost every day see what we owe our lives to. This is the Sun. If it were a little brighter, larger, or our planet would be outside the conditional habitable belt, perhaps life on Earth would never have arisen. In addition to heating the Earth, the Sun can also be fraught with dangers. And it's not hot and sunburn, but the real storms. A magnetic storm is a phenomenon that occurs as a result of It gives rise to such a phenomenon as space weather. But first things first. So what is it and how can such storms be dangerous for people and equipment?

sunny wind

If use scientific classification, then a magnetic storm is a perturbation of the Earth, which lasts from several hours to several days. Such phenomena occur as a result of solar activity, when the solar wind interacts with the geomagnetic field of our planet. And as a result of the manifestation and amplification of ring currents, which are constantly present in the radiation belts of the planet, certain phenomena occur on the surface that affect both electronic devices and the physical well-being of people. So a magnetic storm is a phenomenon that, although invisible externally, has an impact on the world around us.

To put it more simply, at certain moments the activity of a nuclear reaction in the sun increases, plasma ejections occur, which reach the Earth, where its magnetic field and ring currents amplify it.

Intensity

Scientists have long noticed that such cosmic phenomena occur with different intensity. It depends on the 11-year cycle of solar activity. So, if the average number of storms per year is about 30, then during the maximum activity of our star, their number increases to 50. As it has already become clear, they are quite frequent, so it cannot be said that every magnetic storm is something supernatural and creepy dangerous. According to scientists, with an average life expectancy of 75 years, a person spends 15 of them precisely during times of such solar activity.

If we talk about the perturbation of the magnetic field near the surface of our planet, then during storms it increases insignificantly, by only 1% of the constant norm.

Danger

For real dangerous phenomena this kind of event occurs very rarely, about once every 500 years. And in ancient times, they passed almost without a trace, since then there was no thin and ordinary electronics, on which all this could be reflected. The last such event occurred in 1859 and was called the "Solar Superstorm". The coronal mass ejection was so large and strong that it reached the Earth in just 18 hours, although this usually takes several days. This day went down in history as the largest geomagnetic event. At that time most developed countries already actively used the telegraph, and as a result of the storm, all the stations were out of order, and all over the world it was possible to observe

There were similar incidents in 1921 and 1960, but the storms then were much less intense, and there was heavy interference or radio failure around the world.

This can happen in our time, when electronics are used everywhere, especially those that do not like strong magnetic disturbances and use wireless communication. And if the space storm is particularly strong, then there is a chance that most of the electronics will fail.

Schedule of magnetic storms

With the development of the near-space space of the Earth and the launching of satellites with telescopes into orbit, it became possible to predict such phenomena. They are mainly divided into 7-day, 2-day and 1-hour forecasts. The accuracy of the first two is 30% and 50%, while the last one is 95%. Many online news and weather outlets provide this kind of information for weather-sensitive people.

Impact on us

Magnetic storms really affect people's well-being. Back in 1928, academician Chizhevsky drew attention to the fact that during periods of such activity, a person develops some symptoms, which are expressed in general malaise, headache, increase or decrease in blood pressure, worsening mood and so on. By the way, some people can react to storms a few days before they start, in fact, predicting the moments of coronal mass ejection from the surface of the sun. But fortunately, such phenomena in themselves do not lead to fatal outcomes.

They represent disturbances of the earth. may last from several days to several hours. Not all planets have their own magnetic field. solar system. Only Earth, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune have magnetic fields. However, they depend not so much on the Earth itself, but on the influence of the Sun on our planet. The sun can be imagined as a huge boiling atomic cauldron. Temperatures in the upper layer and on the surface of the Sun reach 1,000,000 degrees. The helium and hydrogen atoms are thus accelerated to tremendous speed and knock out electrons from each other.

Some particles from multiple collisions acquire such colossal energies that they overcome the solar attraction and break out into outer space. These plasma streams, which move at speeds in excess of three hundred kilometers per second, are called the "solar wind".
Moreover, sometimes the speed of such a “solar wind” can exceed a thousand kilometers per second. In this case, it destroys the balance on our planet. As a result, it increases significantly, which leads to the appearance. They happen quite often, usually two to four times a month. Science is able to predict the appearance one or two days before they begin. Scientists record a solar flare, after which they track the progress of the "solar wind" in the direction of the Earth. But scientists cannot make a long-term forecast yet. Some may start suddenly and all over the Earth at once. Sometimes they develop gradually. The "solar wind" can reach the Earth approximately two days after the appearance of flares on the Sun, since its speed varies from three hundred to a thousand kilometers per second. The particles cover a distance of 150,000,000 km in this time. Thirty to forty hours after flares appear on the Sun, the "solar wind" reaches the upper atmosphere of our planet. And since the Earth has its own, these charged particles are forced to move along the lines of the earth in the polar regions. This is how the aurora appears, which is accompanied by. For this reason, they have the greatest influence in the polar regions. It remains to be added that scientists also predict a global one, as a result of which a change in the earth's magnetic poles will occur. As you know, this has happened many times in the history of the Earth. However, the change of magnetic poles is a very long geological and climatic process that can stretch for many millennia. According to science, these events will happen very soon, but not in the next few days, but in about a thousand or two thousand years.

What are magnetic storms?

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