[tired&retired]

I've been following this for over 20 years. A storm like this will be hell on electronically stored data. Remember the magnetic cassette tape erasers we used to wipe data from tapes?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

There is obviously a greenhouse-gas connection here.

If only we would abolish fossil fuels, this problem would be solved.

[tired&retired]

The Sun Does a Flip
NASA scientists who monitor the Sun say that our star’s awesome magnetic field is flipping — a sure sign that solar maximum is here.

http://science1.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/ast15feb_1/

And then read.....

Earth’s Inconstant Magnetic Field: Our planet’s magnetic field is in a constant state of change, say researchers who are beginning to understand how it behaves and why.

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/29dec_magneticfield.html

Then try to get a good nights sleep!!!!

[COBOL2Java]

In 2011 the situation would be more serious. An avalanche of blackouts carried across continents by long-distance power lines could last for weeks to months as engineers struggle to repair damaged transformers. Planes and ships couldn’t trust GPS units for navigation. Banking and financial networks might go offline, disrupting commerce in a way unique to the Information Age. According to a 2008 report from the National Academy of Sciences, a century-class solar storm could have the economic impact of 20 hurricane Katrinas.

"You don't say! Why, how could we possibly have elections in 2012 if this...uhh...national disaster were to occur? Hmmm..."

[battlecry]

Maybe it will be good for 6M ham operators?

[SpaceBar]

And the only thing that will prevent these dire predictions of global calamity from happening is money. BTW you science fiction/propaganda guys at NASA, you might want to actually name the Carrington Event by name to sound at least a little authoratative.

[joe fonebone]

but....but...but.... we were just informed this week that we are entering an ice age due to low solar activity....

[Paladin2]

What if it doesn’t happen?

[Beowulf9]

You can’t be SIRIUS!

[Justa]

“Remember the magnetic cassette tape erasers we used to wipe data from tapes?”

Remember Faraday cages and electronic circuit breakers?