2012 Sun storm to hit with 'force of 100m bombs'

[Authentic X]

far out and groovy

[tiagosilva29]

Yep, when it happened we were just starting into huge globalization of electronics & transistors/conductors, so it didn't really effect us all that much.

Bunkers + ECCs + Bacon Armor = all the safety we need

[Another Canuck]

*puts on sunblock*

[Southern Patriot]

solar storm is relatively safe to the earth environment, it is just a spectacular aurora show

however, it can be disastrous to power grids and electronic devices, because it is a huge emp blast on a global scale, which can wipe out the electronic infrastructures

in the 19th century, theres no far-fetching power grids and electronic infrastructures like today; while there wont be a doomsday scenario which kills all human, but if the solar maximum storm hits earth a full force, it can create havoc on human society when the electronics fail

Very true, but there will likely be a huge number of deaths related to it. Think about the fact that nearly every form of transportation relies on electronics. Airplanes, cars, etc. will suddenly fail. If people are flying or driving when the EMP hits, it could very easily cause LOTS of crashes. A solar storm similar to the one in 1859 would cause MASSIVE damage to our global economy and infrastructure. Back then, the worst thing that happened was a bunch of shorted-out telegraph lines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859

[Peter Griffin]

*puts on sunblock*

Ill be opting for SPF100 in 2012!

[Klownicle]

Seriously this is back page news? :rofl:

The original news article doesn't even list sources for anything.

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

Very true, but there will likely be a huge number of deaths related to it. Think about the fact that nearly every form of transportation relies on electronics. Airplanes, cars, etc. will suddenly fail. If people are flying or driving when the EMP hits, it could very easily cause LOTS of crashes. A solar storm similar to the one in 1859 would cause MASSIVE damage to our global economy and infrastructure. Back then, the worst thing that happened was a bunch of shorted-out telegraph lines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859

Events like this are rare, and probably won't happen during our lifetimes. It's nothing for the average person to worry about since you can't really plan for it, but it's something we should take precautions for since it could happen, however unlikely. The government invested something like $100 million to protect our electronic infrastructure from such an event. The military is more prepared than anyone else since much of their equipment is already protected against EMPs. I'd also be surprised if airplanes aren't already protected.

[Solid Knight]

You're going to wish you had a gun and a lot of toilet paper when this happens.

[Ridlas]

Magnets, how do they work?

[Solid Knight]

Magnets, how do they work?

Here you go: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+do+magnets+work

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

Yawn, if this scare mongering is anything like the Y2K Bug that was gonna wipe out the global economy ill be sat on my lawn with a beer in my hand with a front row seat to apocalypse.

If I could rep you for this comment, I would (Y)

If we're all going down, i'll be on my lawn drinking a beer too.

[bdsams Veteran]

It coincides with WWII and WWII. 2012 will be spent in my bunker (now with extra tin foil).

Uh, I think you got your years mixed up....2010 - 50 != 1940s

[Raa]

Okay IF it happens, then so what? Just launch new satellites. I'm sure they'll have some on standby.

I'm not to worried. If they are, then spend the millions now and get it ready to roll for then, eh? :)

[HostileGamer]

I just got done playing the Mafia II video game which takes place in the 30's-50's and there was NO mention of a solar flare in that game!!

Shenanigans!!

[Quattrone]

Well guys, we still have two more years to enjoy our lives before we die. What are you wishes guys?

[Richteralan]

Okay IF it happens, then so what? Just launch new satellites. I'm sure they'll have some on standby.

I'm not to worried. If they are, then spend the millions now and get it ready to roll for then, eh? :)

yeah like human-created virtual/paper money can create resources :rofl:

[micro]

Okay IF it happens, then so what? Just launch new satellites. I'm sure they'll have some on standby.

I'm not to worried. If they are, then spend the millions now and get it ready to roll for then, eh? :)

Heh, if it DOES happen there wont be any electronics working to "Just launch new satellites". Think massive power outage, shorted out electronics, no computer, limited communication, NO GPS.

[shockz]

Scientists can't even get the 5 day weather forecast right, let alone predicting a solar storm that'll happen 2 years from now.

[Raa]

Since when did a shuttlecraft need to launch using electronic power? - Okay that was a semi joke, I realise they use extensive computer systems.

But who was it that just said that most of NASA's stuff is EMP shielded? I mean, seriously, they've got it covered.

Don't worry, they'll be right in 2012. I'm just more worried about my computer! :p

[.Neo]

Since when did a shuttlecraft need to launch using electronic power? - Okay that was a semi joke, I realise they use extensive computer systems.

An iPod shuffle probably has more processing power than the Space Shuttle's onboard computer.

[Raa]

An iPod shuffle probably has more processing power than the Space Shuttle's onboard computer.

I'd love to see your source on that.

This is 2010, after all. Not 1969.

[shockz]

I'd love to see your source on that.

This is 2010, after all. Not 1969.

I believe he is right, and its one of the reasons the shuttles are being retired. They are old, and are still using a lot of tech from the era they were built in.

[Xeon]

The article is just as ignorant as some of you posters. First and foremost, the article fails to mention the fact that earth is protected with a magnetic force field or "shield" that repels all of these sun flares. The magnetic field is weakest at the north and south poles.

The picture above is what a solar flare looks like when it hits the poles. The solar flares make its way through the magnetic shield at these weak points, and that's why the beautiful image above appears to have a "greenish" sky. The only way a massive solar flare could affect our planet and potentially knock out electrical devices is if this shield fails. The shield is generated at the center of the earth. Unless earth stops rotating around its core, this is impossible. Another way for a flare to hit earth, is if the magnetic field surrounding earth flips (this has happened before, hundreds of thousands of years ago - there is no explanation of why this happens, but NASA has confirmed that it appears to be part of a cycle, and is guaranteed to happen again; they just don't know when). This means earth's strongest magnetic pull will be at the south, at which point compasses will no longer point to the north - but to the south instead. The transition "flip" of our magnetic field may last up to a few days, in which case earth will no longer be protected from these sun flares. If there was a solar flare headed for earth during this transition period, all electrical devices will be toast. Guaranteed.

[Raa]

I believe he is right, and its one of the reasons the shuttles are being retired. They are old, and are still using a lot of tech from the era they were built in.

Good point too.

But we're talking about launching a satellite, not a shuttle, surely they work on different technology...

Those Russians have some advanced stuff you know!

[micro]

The article is just as ignorant as some of you posters. First and foremost, the article fails to mention the fact that earth is protected with a magnetic force field or "shield" that repels all of these sun flares. The magnetic field is weakest at the north and south poles.

The picture above is what a solar flare looks like when it hits the poles. The solar flares make its way through the magnetic shield at these weak points, and that's why the beautiful image above appears to have a "greenish" sky. The only way a massive solar flare could affect our planet and potentially knock out electrical devices is if this shield fails. The shield is generated at the center of the earth. Unless earth stops rotating around its core, this is impossible. Another way for a flare to hit earth, is if the magnetic field surrounding earth flips (this has happened before, hundreds of thousands of years ago - there is no explanation of why this happens, but NASA has confirmed that it appears to be part of a cycle, and is guaranteed to happen again; they just don't know when). This means earth's strongest magnetic pull will be at the south, at which point compasses will no longer point to the north - but to the south instead. The transition "flip" of our magnetic field may last up to a few days, in which case earth will no longer be protected from these sun flares. If there was a solar flare headed for earth during this transition period, all electrical devices will be toast. Guaranteed.

The solar wind consists of plasma; atoms so hot that they lose their ability to even hold on to their electrons and become ionized. Charged particles are shot off the sun's corona and out into space. If the mass ejection is strong enough it will distort our magnetic field so much that inhabitants of texas will be able to see the aurora borealis, this means all those charged particles are not harmlessly flying in at the caps but right into our infrastructure and grids. It is these charged particles that travel into our unprotected power grids and short them out.

Our magnetic field can only withstand a specific strength of the suns mass ejections.