Astronomers estimate that the new sunspot cycle will be 30 to 50 percent more active than the current cycle. Solar activity, including sunspots and solar flares, ejects huge quantities of charged particles into space. These particles are responsible for the phenomenon known as the aurora borealis, or “northern lights.” The same particles also interfere with radio signals, disrupt satellite communications, and impede the transmission of power across high-voltage lines. Even though the new cycle of solar activity is predicted to be less intense than the peak cycle of a decade ago, the impacts will be felt by many more people around the world.
Which of the following, if true, would provide the strongest reason for the paradox of the weaker solar activity’s causing greater disruption?
(A) Radio signals have become stronger and less likely to be disrupted, but many people rely on a satellite signal for the music and news they hear on their radios.
(B) There are actually fewer high-voltage power lines in the Upper Midwest than there were a decade ago.
(C) There has been an exponential increase in the number of people around the world with cell phones that could be disrupted by solar activity.
(D) The northern lights are usually seen only in the very highest latitudes, but during periods of intense activity, they can be seen as far south as Chicago.
(E) Fiber optic cables that supply the Internet connections for tens of millions of Americans are not affected by solar activity the way that radio and satellite signals are.