Chapter 26 - Dealing With Space Weather: The Canadian Experience

Abstract

Space weather phenomena, in the form of the aurora borealis (northern lights), have always been part of the Canadian experience. However, in modern times, we have come to realize how these phenomena can affect the different technological systems on which we rely. High-frequency radio opened up communication links to remote communities, except when the ionosphere was disrupted by space weather disturbances. Such disturbances are now a problem for commercial aircraft using transpolar routes. As long-distance communications shifted to using satellites, Telesat's Anik series of satellites provided phone and television links across the country, but suffered a major blow when energetic electrons damaged the attitude control circuitry for Anik-E2. After heroic efforts to implement an alternative control system, the satellite was brought back into operation 5 months later. On the ground, the expanding power network was vulnerable to the extra currents created during geomagnetic disturbances and on March 13, 1989, a major magnetic storm caused widespread effects, including the blackout of the Hydro-Québec power system. Canadian operators of aeromagnetic surveys and directional drilling have also had to cope with geomagnetic disturbances. Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are another technology affected by ionospheric disturbances and a number of correction services have been developed, including the Canadian Coast Guard's DGPS service for maritime users. In parallel with the increasing engineering requirements to design or manage systems in Canada that are affected by space weather, the science behind space weather phenomena has been a particular focus of Canadian scientists who have made great contributions in this area. The same high-latitude location that makes Canada more exposed to space weather hazards also makes it a prime location for space weather observations and the country is now a giant array of space weather research instruments. The challenge for the future is to use the new knowledge being generated to help protect Canadian infrastructure from future extreme space weather events.