Summary:
- The Earth's protective plasma layer, called the magnetosphere, can be compressed by powerful solar storms originating from the Sun.
- These solar storms send out bursts of charged particles and magnetic fields that can interact with the Earth's own magnetic field, causing the magnetosphere to shrink temporarily.
- This compression of the magnetosphere can expose satellites and astronauts to increased radiation, potentially disrupting communications and electronic systems, as well as posing risks to human health.