About Solar Storm Defender
Solar Storm Defender is a free 150-second arcade game about space weather. A simulated X1.2 solar flare has launched waves of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) toward Earth. You steer Earth's magnetosphere: aim the shield arc at what is coming, hold to raise it, and keep Earth's health above zero through three waves. Survive 150 seconds to win, then keep going in endless mode for triple points. The game is a simplification. Real CMEs cannot be blocked on purpose, and the speeds below are typical values, not a forecast.
CME types, speeds and real arrival times
| Type | Speed | Time to Earth at that speed |
|---|---|---|
| Slow CME | 400 km/s | about 4.3 days |
| Medium CME | 800 km/s | about 2.2 days |
| Fast CME | 1,200 km/s | about 35 hours |
Times assume the Sun to Earth distance of about 150 million km and a constant speed. Real CMEs accelerate or slow down in the solar wind.
Controls
- Move the mouse / drag a finger: Aim the shield arc around Earth
- Hold click, touch or the SHIELD button: Raise the shield (it overheats after 3 seconds of holding)
- Arrow keys or A / D: Swing the shield arc left and right
- S or Space (hold): Raise the shield
- P: Pause
- R: Start over
Solar Storm Defender FAQ
What is a coronal mass ejection (CME)?
A coronal mass ejection is a huge cloud of plasma and magnetic field that the Sun throws into space, often after a solar flare. Only the ones aimed at Earth matter for space weather, and a halo CME, which looks like a ring around the Sun in coronagraph images, is a sign one is heading toward (or away from) us.
How fast are real CMEs, and how long do they take to reach Earth?
Real CMEs range from a few hundred km/s to well over 2,000 km/s. At a constant speed, a slow 400 km/s CME would take about 4.3 days to cover the 150 million km to Earth, an 800 km/s one about 2.2 days, and a fast 1,200 km/s one about 35 hours. Real CMEs speed up or slow down on the way, so forecasters speak of roughly one to four days.
Can anything really block a CME?
Nothing can block one on purpose. In real life, satellites such as NOAA's DSCOVR sit about 1.5 million km sunward of Earth and measure the solar wind, giving roughly 15 to 60 minutes of warning before it arrives. Earth's magnetosphere is the natural shield that takes the hit. The directional arc in the game is a simplification.
How does the shield work in the game?
You aim an arc around Earth and hold to raise it. Each CME it catches costs 15 of your 100 shield energy, and the energy recharges at 8 per second while the shield is down (16 per second in wave 3). Holding it for more than 3 seconds makes it overheat for a moment, and an X-ray flare in wave 2 switches it off for 2 seconds.
How is the score calculated?
Each blocked CME is worth 100 points, multiplied by 1.1 for every extra block within 3 seconds of the last one. Blocking a CME in the last 0.3 seconds before it would hit Earth adds a 50 point close-call bonus, and stardust in the breathers is worth 25 each. After 150 seconds you win and can keep going in endless mode, where every point is tripled.
How do I stay alive?
Earth starts with 3 health out of 5. A repair drops in every 20 seconds, and every 8 blocks in a row drops another. A battery adds 30 shield energy every 20 seconds, and an EMP burst every 35 seconds clears the sky for 4 seconds. Every 25 seconds there is also a 4 second breather with no CMEs.
How do I play on a phone?
Touch and drag around Earth to aim, and keep your finger down to hold the shield up. The HOLD SHIELD button raises it at the last place you aimed.
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