Sun spots produce solar flares if the magnetic lines break. Big enough solar flares have enough ionizing radiation to work like an EMP. Knocking out satellites, phones, computers, modern cars, basically anything electronic that isn't shielded. The chances of that happening are fairly low tho.

[–] meco03211@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

If it rivals the Carrington event though, it will likely have catastrophic effects. Pretty sure a bunch of infrastructure nationally could not withstand such an event. Unprotected electronics basically get fried.

[–] P00ptart@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

Yup, that's the point. The grid fails, nobody has any communication, most digital records are gone. Good times.