The implications of this transfer of energy can be very dramatic, especially during solar maximum. In December 2000, the Earth was in the midst of a solar maximum, a peak in the 11-year cycle over which solar activity waxes and wanes. Possible consequences of these solar flare-ups include particularly intense precipitation of energetic particles in the auroral regions creating vivid displays of light and colors at high latitudes and overload conditions for power grids on the ground. High-energy particles can also damage satellites and may even be hazardous to astronauts. During solar maximum, large CMEs occur very often, about one or two a month.
Coronal ejections have very different sizes and dynamics.
Sometimes, they have very little effect on the Earth's magnetosphere, while other times times they can dramatically alter the Earth's space environment, leading to strong geomagnetic storms. Solar disturbances have caused major problems at the Earth over the last few decades. One of the strongest geomagnetic storms occurred during the solar maximum in March 1989, when several spacecraft had to have their orbits adjusted and a power blackout occurred over eastern Canada. Last year, a space shuttle was sent up to boost the International Space Station to a new orbit because of the increased solar activity. We have about two days' notice when we see a CME or its precursors, before the storm might possibly reach the region of the Earth.