<blockquote>
<p>Would a large coronal mass ejection affect the earth evenley</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No, the effects on Earth from a large <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronal_mass_ejection" rel="nofollow noreferrer">coronal mass ejection (CME)</a> would disproportionately affect higher geographic latitudes in the form of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetically_induced_current" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ground induced currents</a>.  The side facing the Sun, called the dayside, would also suffer more spacecraft anomalies from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energetic_particles" rel="nofollow noreferrer">solar energetic particles (SEPs)</a>.  However, the nightside is not safe either.  A strong <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetic_storm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">geomagnetic storm</a> induced by a strong CME can cause large influxes of relatively low energy electrons from the geomagnetic tail, which can charge up spacecraft enough to cause arcing and ablation.  The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt" rel="nofollow noreferrer">radiation belts</a> are also enhanced during such storms, which can cause single event upsets in spacecraft electronics and increase the material fatigue of spacecraft components.  These energetic particles also increase the rate of damage to solar panels, thus reducing a spacecraft's life time.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-31T15:13:24.847Z
2021-08-31T15:13:24.847Z
honeste_vivere
<p>A very severe coronal mass ejection in the lines of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Carrington event</a> could potentially disrupt power grids and communications,  but would it affect the earth evenly or would the part of the earth facing away at the time be less affected?</p>
<p>This question <a href="https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/87/what-are-the-main-differences-between-solar-flares-and-coronal-mass-ejections">What are the main differences between solar flares and coronal mass ejections?</a> seems to explain a coronal mass ejection but it does not answer the question about difference</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-29T18:28:45.213Z
A nice question!
Fattie
<solar-wind>
Would a large coronal mass ejection affect the earth evenly
user1605665
# Would a large coronal mass ejection affect the earth evenly

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-10-23)

A very severe coronal mass ejection in the lines of the [Carrington event](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859) could potentially disrupt power grids and communications, but would it affect the earth evenly or would the part of the earth facing away at the time be less affected?

This question [What are the main differences between solar flares and coronal mass ejections?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/87/what-are-the-main-differences-between-solar-flares-and-coronal-mass-ejections) seems to explain a coronal mass ejection but it does not answer the question about difference

**Tags:** solar-wind

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A nice question!  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-08-31. Score: 3

> Would a large coronal mass ejection affect the earth evenley

No, the effects on Earth from a large [coronal mass ejection (CME)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronal_mass_ejection) would disproportionately affect higher geographic latitudes in the form of [ground induced currents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetically_induced_current). The side facing the Sun, called the dayside, would also suffer more spacecraft anomalies from [solar energetic particles (SEPs)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energetic_particles). However, the nightside is not safe either. A strong [geomagnetic storm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetic_storm) induced by a strong CME can cause large influxes of relatively low energy electrons from the geomagnetic tail, which can charge up spacecraft enough to cause arcing and ablation. The [radiation belts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt) are also enhanced during such storms, which can cause single event upsets in spacecraft electronics and increase the material fatigue of spacecraft components. These energetic particles also increase the rate of damage to solar panels, thus reducing a spacecraft's life time.


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