[HiTech RedNeck]

Is there some kind of physics explanation by which we would expect a certain “planetary line up” to induce the sun to shoot flares Earth’s way? Without that it sounds too much like astrology.

[Rich21IE]

Everything I’ve been reading and hearing indicates a planetary line up has nothing to do with it. The sun has a natural cycle. It goes from a long period of relative quiet to one of increasing solar flare activity ending with a climax of a high frequency of sunspot/solar flare activity called the solar maximum. The sun acts like a shot gun and these flares usually blast out into nothingness but, occasionally, the earth will take a direct hit. Last “near” direct hit was in something like 1979 which hit Canada, taking down the grid around Toronto. It really isn’t a question of “if” the earth will take another direct hit, its a question of when. But.......that doesn’t mean we’ll get hit during the time of this solar maximum; could happen next cycle. Its all quite random.

[saintgermaine]

Go to post number 10 and look up the suggested websites.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Is there some kind of physics explanation by which we would expect a certain “planetary line up” to induce the sun to shoot flares Earth’s way? Without that it sounds too much like astrology.

Exactly. There was a huge event a week or two ago but it was facing away from earth.