Can a solar storm destroy our technology?

A strong solar storm can above all seriously disrupt stored data and the transfer of information. The sensible response is to prepare calmly rather than to be afraid.

The sun keeps hurling huge quantities of particles into space, and the Earth is constantly struck by them. Especially strong outbursts occur at certain intervals. Because daily life depends more and more on electronics, many people wonder what such a storm could do.

Data is the most vulnerable part. A strong storm can wipe out stored information or scramble it so that nothing meaningful remains. It can also disrupt the flow of information, for example through satellites. Whether the devices themselves are permanently damaged depends on the strength of the storm. In satellites, some components might then have to be replaced. The satellite as a whole, however, usually remains in its orbit.

This leads to some simple advice. Important data should be backed up more than once and kept in places that are less exposed. Underground, for instance, records are better protected from such effects. Many specialists already have protective equipment and backup procedures for this.

The first verse above reminds us that the sun is no blind monster. It follows an order that God has set. So there is no place for panic. The second verse shows the right attitude. In good years stores were laid by so that people would be provided for in hard years.

In this way Islam teaches both things. We trust in God and at the same time take sensible precautions. What lies beyond our control is not something we need to worry about needlessly.