Latest Global Crisis: Solar Storms Are Set to Hit the Earth
 

It certainly seems like the world has been under attack lately. Now that "Debtaggedon" is over, Reuters is reporting that there have been three large explosions from the Sun over the past few days, and that "sun storms" are set to hit the Earth. The U.S. government, which is pretty pressed for time as it is right now, is warning "users of satellite, telecommunications and electric equipment to prepare for possible disruptions over the next few days." Or, as National Geographic informs us: "Storms are brewing about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) away, and if one of them reaches Earth, it could knock out communications, scramble GPS, and leave thousands without power for weeks to months."
Joseph Kunches, a space weather scientist from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said that the magnetic storm that is soon to develop probably will be in the "moderate to strong level." So how afraid should we be? According to Reuters, major disruptions from solar activity, rare though they may be, have had serious impacts in the past.


Reuters adds that according to a 2008 report by the National Research Council, a similar storm could cause up to $2 trillion in damage, globally. But before hysteria sets in, Kunches said that, "I don't think this week's solar storms will be anywhere near that." However, lest we relax too much, the International Business Times reports that solar activity is increasingly becoming a source of concern:

The NOAA predicted four extreme solar emissions which could threaten the planet this decade. Similarly, Nasa warned that a peak in the sun's magnetic energy cycle and the number of sun spots or flares around 2013 could enable extremely high radiation levels.

Apparently, the sun is approaching what's known as solar maximum—the high point in its roughly 11-year cycle of activity, according to National Geographic. Scientists anticipate stronger storms around solar max, in 2013. So while Rich Lordan from the Electric Power Research Institute said that "based on the data and the scenarios we can reasonably expect, I believe the power-delivery system can operate through a solar storm," overall the danger is becoming more critical.


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Can't beat stoking the fires of mass panic:D

hmm, do you think I might see the aurora borealis in South Wales? That would be nice.

Oh now I get it. It makes perfect sense now, earth's man made global warming is having a direct impact on the sun's temperature and causing it to get hotter too. This is truly a sign we are destroying our own solar system.

We need to raise taxes and stop all backyard BBQs to combat this immediately!


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If they can just delay it until the 12th/13th, then mixed with the Perseids it'll be a lovely show! :03:

Are you an idiot? This is obviously the latest plan of those awful immigrant colored-type radicals bent on taking over Wal*Mart!

Please try to keep up.

Great idea. :DL

Folks around me burn the food on the outside and still raw on the inside, yuk!

They must have steel stomachs. :rotfl2:

Don't be silly. It's all the fault of the gays getting married in New York!

I thought that's normal English cuisine.....:hmm2:

It is...double yuk.

That's the only way to cook a steak. Ask any Texan.

Burgers and other stuff? Probably not a good idea.

There's a difference? :O:

The British BBQ way is to throw frozen meat on to a roaring BBQ Fire and burn it on the outside and raw inside then eat it!

Dont forget to keep your eyes peeled for the close fly-by (as close as the moon is to Earth) of YU55 sometime this Novermber,a 1500ft asteroid.If it were to impact with Earth scientists say it could release more energy than 50 Hiroshima bombs,but they say it will not impact,simply fly past us...I hope.