Could THIS Wipe Out Life as We Know it In Arizona?

As if things weren't crazy enough on the surfaces of this planet, we're currently discussing the interesting space weather we're experiencing. The upside is that it probably wasn't caused by man-made global warming.

The downside is, "global warming" could end up being a pretty big factor - in another way.

Welcome to Earth-Obit, Space Traveller

In your lifetime, did you ever think you'd hear scientists talking about the earth getting a second moon? Okay, it's not really a moon, per se. It's actually a pretty impressive space rock.

READ: Did You Know: There Are Over 600 Active Volcanoes in Arizona?

The Arjuna space rock, also known by its super sexy science name, 2024 PT5, is a near-Earth asteroid about 33 feet long that's been temporarily sucked into Earth’s gravity. Scientists expect it to hang out with our moon until late November.

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The most startling part of this event (to me, at least) is that astronomers seem pretty unconcerned by this whole event. Would an asteroid by any other name cause total global annihilation?? (Asking for a friend. Or about 8.8 billion of them, give or take a few.)

Arizona is Concerned about Solar Flares

Space rocks aside, there's another intergalactic threat staring us down, and it could be a bigger deal than flying interstellar school buses.

Solar flares, powerful bursts of radiation from the sun, could impact Arizona and our fellow Earthlings in the more immediate future. Depending on their intensity, the effects could range from minor inconveniences to massive, lengthy disruptions with global repercussions. 

Different Types of Solar Flares and Their Potential Effect on Arizona

A-class and B-class flares are the ones we're least concerned about. According to Stanford University, this type of solar flare is so weak Arizonans probably wouldn't even notice them.

C-class flares are slightly stronger and cause minor disruptions. You'd probably notice some short radio blackouts if you're hanging out in the polar regions.

Thankfully, we're a long way from the poles in Arizona, so you'll still be able to get your favorite radio stations without interruption!

READ: Will Shortages Hit Arizona? Why Panic Buying Suddenly Returned

M-class flares are more intense. You might notice that K101, KWCD, Thunder 98.1, and other radio stations might experience brief radio blackouts.

These flares can also bring minor radiation storms, which could affect GPS and other radio communications in Arizona. That could be bad news for aviation and emergency services, so yeah, it may be a slightly more pressing than hearing your favorite Taylor Swift song.

X-class flares are the big baddy. These flares are the most powerful, and if we get zapped by one of these beasts, the fallout could be massive, especially if a Coronal Mass Ejection or CME accompanies it.

On the upside, we'd probably see the aurora borealis here in Arizona, which almost never happens. Unfortunately, our cell phones might not work, so you may have to take pictures with your memories rather than your mobile device.

Solar flares are a natural part of the sun’s activity, but in Arizona, we need to work on protecting our infrastructure to lessen the potential impact on life as we know it. 

Sources: Stanford University | Space.com | USA Today | National Geographic | Space.com | CNN | Live Science | Wikipedia