Solar Storm
At the end of October 2003, a sudden solar storm hit the earth. A solar storm _1_ the large amounts of charged particles released into space when the solar energy increases. The release of the energy takes place _2_ with the activity of the sunspots with a cycle of 11 years. This time, the _3_ of the storm exceeded expectations.
This _4_ of intense solar storms was caused by the eruption of a solar flare and the ejection of the solar corona on October 28, 2004. Large amounts of charged particles moved 150,000,000 kilometers through space toward the _5_ in 19 hours. They could affect aircraft roaming in space. The high-energy particles will _6_ some of the parts of an aircraft. They may also cause it to fail. High-energy particles can threaten the safety of an aircraft at a high orbit. If an aircraft orbits at a lower orbit, it is safe because it is under the _7_ of the earth's magnetic field.
A solar storm not only affects aircraft but also is a _8_ to the environment and humans. The aerosphere and magnetic field of the earth can protect humans from ultraviolet radiation and X-rays. _9_ most of the X-rays are absorbed after it enters the aerosphere, still a few can reach the ground. This kind of radiation, if any, only lasts for several minutes or dozens of minutes, so its effect on humans is very _10_.
The geomagnetic storm caused by this round of solar storm reaches its highest _11_ on the two poles of the earth, which affects electricity supply of the northern America. Overexposure to radiation threatens the health of passengers on planes flying _12_ the Polar Regions. If we fly in the sky during such a solar storm, it means we receive ten times the X-ray radiation. It's _13_ damaging.
Scientists say a solar eruption is like the sun sneezing, which will make the earth catch cold. Though this natural force is irresistible, scientists can _14_ detect its movement accurately by monitoring. Facing successive solar storms, humans can't drop their _15_.
1. A. refers to
B. depends on
C. prevents from
D. acts on
正确的答案是: A
2.A. among
B. above
C. along
D. aboard
正确的答案是: C
3.A. height
B. intensity
C. color
D. shape
正确的答案是: B
责任编辑：八月骄阳
