2025-11-30
Our computer systems work via a myriad of components sending and receiving electrical signals. To a computer, there is no difference between intentional electrical signals (which are sent via electrons), and incoming electrons from the Sun/space. (4/8)
The Guardian
Airbus issues an order to revert 6,000 A320-series planes to old software, after an incident revealed that intense solar radiation corrupted flight control data
Immediate software change on ‘significant number’ of jets to result in disruption to half the worldwide fleet
A big day for space weather, with the BBC reporting that a Mexico-to-USA flight in October experienced a ‘sudden drop in altitude’, likely caused by *solar energetic particles* from the Sun. Here is an explanation and some thoughts as a solar astrophysicist (a thread): 1/8 [image]
The Guardian
Airbus issues an order to revert 6,000 A320-series planes to old software, after an incident revealed that intense solar radiation corrupted flight control data
Immediate software change on ‘significant number’ of jets to result in disruption to half the worldwide fleet
Solar energetic particles are high energy electrons and protons released by the Sun, primarily during solar flares. These particles travel very close to the speed of light, arriving to Earth just a few minutes after the solar flare is first detected. (Pictured as fuzzy dots here) [video]
The Guardian
Airbus issues an order to revert 6,000 A320-series planes to old software, after an incident revealed that intense solar radiation corrupted flight control data
Immediate software change on ‘significant number’ of jets to result in disruption to half the worldwide fleet