Explained: What Is Sun Outage And How It Impacts You

Users of Google's second-generation Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices are facing widespread disruptions due to an authentication error, making it impossible to cast content. While this is a technical glitch, sometimes disruptions occur due to natural phenomena – one such example is a sun outage, an event that temporarily knocks out satellite communications.

So, what exactly is a sun outage, and how does it affect our daily life? 

A sun outage, also known as a solar fade or sun transit, is a natural phenomenon that temporarily disrupts satellite communications due to solar interference. This natural occurrence temporarily disrupts the signals between a satellite and a ground station, leading to a temporary loss or degradation of communication. This happens when the sun aligns directly behind a satellite relative to a ground-based receiving station, causing the sun’s powerful radiation to interfere with the satellite’s signal.

Sun outages typically happen twice a year, around the equinoxes in early March and late September. During these periods, the sun crosses the equatorial plane, aligning directly with geostationary satellites from the perspective of ground stations. The exact timing and duration of a sun outage depend on the specific location of the receiving station and the satellite's position in orbit. 

Sun outages impact satellite-based communication services, including:

• Television broadcasts – Signal loss, pixelation, or static visuals.

• Internet services – Slow connections, or temporary disconnection.

• Radio communication – Interference and signal dropouts.

• GPS and navigation systems – Possible inaccuracies.

For most consumers, sun outages manifest as brief disruptions in satellite-based services such as television broadcasts, internet connectivity, and radio communications. During the peak of a sun outage, which can last several minutes over a span of a few days, you might experience pixelation, audio distortions, or complete signal loss. These interruptions are temporary and typically resolve without any action required from the user.

Sun outages cannot be prevented, but service providers often implement strategies to minimise their impact. These may include using backup antennas at different geographical locations, as sun outages do not affect all locations simultaneously. 

Providers may also inform customers about potential disruptions during these periods.

If your services are disrupted due to a sun outage, here’s what you can do:

1. Wait – The outage usually lasts only a few minutes.

2. Avoid troubleshooting – Restarting your device won’t help since the issue is caused by solar interference.

3. Check the schedule – Service providers often announce outage durations in advance. It’s advisable to check the schedule and plan your work accordingly.