Posted on 01/08/2009 4:57:24 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
A new study from the National Academy of Sciences outlines grim possibilities on Earth for a worst-case scenario solar storm.
Damage to power grids and other communications systems could be catastrophic, the scientists conclude, with effects leading to a potential loss of governmental control of the situation.
The prediction is based in part on major solar storm in 1859 caused telegraph wires to short out in the United States and Europe, igniting widespread fires.
It was perhaps the worst in the past 200 years, according to the new study, and with the advent of modern power grids and satellites, much more is at risk.
"A contemporary repetition of the [1859] event would cause significantly more extensive (and possibly catastrophic) social and economic disruptions," the researchers conclude.
When the sun is in the active phase of its 11-year cycle, it can unleash powerful magnetic storms that disable satellites, threaten astronaut safety, and even disrupt communication systems on Earth.
The worst storms can knock out power grids by inducing currents that melt transformers.
Modern power grids are so interconnected that a big space storm — the type expected to occur about once a century — could cause a cascade of failures that would sweep across the United States, cutting power to 130 million people or more in this country alone, the new report concludes.
Such widespread power outages, though expected to be a rare possibility, would affect other vital systems.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Massive stunage warning and alert; be sure to stow your beeber in a Faraday cage.
Too bad most transmitters have gone solid state. And the managers are so short sighted they junked the tube transmitters to save space.
Screw these guys - I can FReep in the dark!
Yabba Dabba Do!
It always bugged me when on Star Trek they would be having space battles, and the control panels on the bridge would just spontaneously combust. Seems like they would design against that kind of thing.
I'll be working QRP DX on 6 meter FM. :) Bring on the sunspots....
/johnny
Solar storms, Yellowstone explodes, Asteroid strike, Nuclear Holocaust, Pandemic, Global warming, Magnetic Pole shift, and on and on...
I’d should just kill myself now, but I’m SURE The Big O will save us all...
Remember when the libs were pushing the idea that "alar" on apples was poison - and so was sugar? And hamburgers and french fries? They'll get to tomatoes - it's only a question of time...
"A series circuit with a voltage source (such as a battery) and 3 resistors"
Don't these systems have circuit breakers?
It's the ultimate act of global terrorism by .... ??? ... Nature ????
Resistance is useless
And you will still be able to use the very first version of PhotoShop on it :)
“If this is world wide, then even our enemies will have problem.”
Naw, it’ll only affect the USA.
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What kind of "scientists" would make such a statement??
Give me a break.
I have one (circa 1955) that is fully functioning
and I have a full set of spare tubes for it.
Won’t be of much use though if the electric grid goes down...
Great!
I’m no longer afraid of global warming, but they’ve thought up something else scary to keep me awake at night.
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