Our lease on this planet is revokable at any moment in time without compensation or recourse, as the Minoan civilization found out via Tsunami, among others. If it hadn't been for Thera, the Greeks would have only been a sidenote in history.

swpc.noaa.gov has current information on space weather and how it may effect the earth

Hey, I just read further.

It seems that there WERE two flares.

I quote from SolarHam.com:

"The second strongest solar flare of Cycle 24 in terms of X-Ray Flux, just peaked around Active Sunspot 1429. This major event measured X5.4 at 00:24 UTC and triggered a strong R3 Level Radio Blackout. This was followed shortly thereafter by an X1.3 event at 01:14 UTC."

It seems that the source is not providing complete info.

THIS MUST BE THE BIGGEST EVENT, YET.

Since 1429 is swinging around to face us more squarely, another event could be a direct hit.

I've been working in the space weather field for 35 years. The past few M-X class flares are pretty typical for solar near-maximum conditions. There are significant negative effects to spacecraft, radio communications, etc., but we are getting better at forecasting and reacting to flares and CME's (but have a long way to go). It is useful to note that the risks to power grids are mostly limited to high latitudes (e.g., Canada), although our aging power grids are highly interconnected. In short, the risks are real, but it is easy to over-react to what are relatively normal solar storms.

DavInDnvr,

Is an occurrance like this unusual?

It seems that we got two for the price of one, here.

RFBS: The number of X,M-class flares increases the closer to solar maximum, but in past solar cycles, there are roughly 50 X,M-class flares over the cycle. Large CME's that affect the Earth are less frequent: more on the order of a dozen geo-effective flares over a solar cycle, and they tend to occur during the declining phase of the cycle. It is important to note that an X-ray flare does not necessarily result in a CME.

This issue should transcend politics and focus on what we are going to do if this happens. All communities should have contingency plans. All the more reason we should be looking into simple ways to bolster the grid in times of crisis- a solar/wind farm near towns and in city neighborhoods, for instance. Yes, I know alternative energy can't meet the demands of modern society. I'm just saying we need more security than the grid can provide. If there are ways to just keep everyone from freezing to death, losing their food supply and remaining informed in times when the grid is knocked out, we ought to be looking into alternatives now and with open minds.

Our lease on this planet is revokable at any moment in time without compensation or recourse, as the Minoan civilization found out via Tsunami, among others.

In the mean time, Sean, is it okay if we take proper precautions against a solar flare (or its man-made counterpart, an EMP)? I'd hate to go quietly into that good night and passively acquiesce to my civilization's destruction...

Guess we are all going to have to grab a cold beer or two and watch the show when it starts !!!

It sounds like the modern world we live in could be turned upside down . We have little or no protection from these storms . Hope we have enough man power to rebuild everything that gets toasted. It might be kind of fun, no cell phones, no radio, no Internet. Better go look for my old monopoly game along with Scrabble . OOPS for got about cable and satellite TV.

bob

Is this Mitt Romney's "Act of God"?

Sorry, I had to do it.

It is interesting how helpless we are when it comes to the Sun. Solar flares can and will affect our daily lives if we happen to be in their path. Similarly, increased solar activity will affect weather patterns all around the world. Yet, when it comes to climate warming causes, conveniently, the impact of the Sun barely gets a mention. It’s all our fault!

I wonder if these recent solar flares have had any noticeable effect on the dolphins recently beaching themselves since they seem to alter the earth's magnetic field?

"The solar storm works in approximately an 11 year cycle. There is solar minimum (the least amount of solar storm) and solar maximum (the greatest amount). The last solar maximum was in 2001 and the last solar minimus was in 2006. The next solar max is predicted for 2012."

Wonder if solar maximum is accounting for the very warm winter we have had in Chicago this winter?

Curious minds, want to know!

Oh for Pete's sake, this is the sun, we are bombarded daily by the sun. If the sun decided to explode, then you should worry. Nothing you could do about it but, hey, it's something to worry about.

Do I need to buy more ammo and food stocks,what about my radiation pills?

Should I bring my dogs inside?

Gee, I wonder if this solar cycle that has produced so much activity in the last number of years, has anything to do with global warming? Hmmmmm....

If we have a Solar Flare like 1859... we'll all I can say is that we are just 3 weeks from ANARCHY!

Already we have had a quit a few near misses from X-Class flares. This Solar cycle is very strong and frequent this will last until 2013...

If alternative energy cannot meet the needs of modern society, maybe modern society has over extended itself and needs to step back. Fossil fuel is not going to last forever...then what?

If we do end up with a solar flair which effectively destroys the entire electrical grid, here is the solution:

bend over, grab your ankles, kiss your butt goodbye.

A nationwide blackout would cause civilization as we know it to not survive more than a few days.

wtw of KC;

We humans are virtually helpless against most forces of nature. Despite our cleverness, we are still at the mercy of extreme weather, earth quakes, Tsunami's and yes, extra terrestrial event's. Comets, asteroids, large meteor's, and Solar flares / CME's. Where climate change is concerned, I suggest a consult of the fossil record. All these "the sky is falling" claims have happened many times in the past, (absent human activity) and will happen again. I see some are beginning to question all this. Of course the suns effects don't get mentioned, how can they force change against a massive nuclear furnace, when it's the very source of one of their "green" alternatives or the source of our extinction, either way. Humans have existed in a temperate Lull between climate extremes, which is the normal state for the planet in measured time. We are tiny and fragile creatures in the grander scheme of the universe. Regardless how clever we feel we are, we are subject to extinction just as the other 90% of all life to ever exist on this planet. The only difference is, "We" will be fully aware of it and realize what's coming, unlike lower life forms.

This is great news ....

We can get a sun tan , in less than halve the time ....

Thanks for the article Alan ....

PANIC!!PANIC!!!

Yea...I was fine till Mr Boyle said "don't panic". I am so out of shape I can't even grab my ankles...I haven't seen my butt in years. It does not look very good for me.

It could be very exciting in the months ahead. Time to put in a few supplies and be ready to hunker down.

Still working: Yup, you might just be in deep do-do. Those solar flares look to be really bad. I recommend exercising every day, some limbering up stretches and work on toe touching, by the time the bad effects of the solar flares are felt you should be able to run marathons:)

I am suprised that the Libs didn't blame Bush for This. Obama did!!!!!!

Hello, i have really bad anxiety and I just read this, Im really scared, please someone calm me down :(

Sockurmouth;

I think you meant Dare not dear, did you not? Oh and just for you, It's Gods will".

Oh, the horror, If a solar flare hit the earth it could shut down electrical grids, communication, the internet, refrigeration, gas pumps, schools, government, gps for military. etc, etc, etc.

What could we do? Maybe talk to our neighbors for one.

Never underestimate the powers of the universe to prove over and over again that it really doesn't care if we are here or not. Don't take life for granted.

Oh roar a roar for Nora,

Nora Alice in the night,

For she has seen Aurora,

Borealis burning bright.

A furor for our Nora,

And for Aurora seen,

For where throughout the summer,

Has our Borealis been?

(Pogo)

Amazing what a body hydrogen plasma held together by gravity can do, huh folks? Twinkle, twinkle. Gotta love our star.

Beautifully written article and gorgeous composite shots of our sun. I LOVE this stuff. Thanks, Alan and NASA.

just glad I'm fully prepared if it gets really bad i can always go back to the forest(spend most of my time there anyways) and use my tactical/survival gear to an advantage, as for getting gas just improvise whats around you(propane tanks combined with other parts will also work)not to mention solar panels with an inverter and a few car batteries if needed(just keep all of it in your basement until needed so it doesn't get damaged). also glad my pc is fully shielded as well just in case.

Don't panic....don't panic.....AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! EVERYONE RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

<---panics!

Sialia, how would alternative energy (other ways to produce electricty) protect us from having the power grid damaged by powerful solar storms? It won't. Electrical grid is electrical grid, no matter how the electricty is produced.

sockurmouth,

"Not a single religious person in sight

they dear not even press on this page

typical..."

I am here. Maybe I am not typical. But I am not fearful of the events or the outcome. I find the science fascinating don't you?

Just to think how God is going to renovate the earth...It called Fire.

well david, if somehow people were energy independant with solar ,wind, etc, then the grid wouldn't matter so much to them

wouldn't do squat for industry , distribution, internet, etc. though.....

I think God's renovation of Earth will be utilizing Earth, wind, fire and water.

God's in control! Why worry,it won't change a thing! Being religious or not doesn't change what is happening. I am a preacher and Scripture will be fulfilled no matter who likes it or not. My God is an awsome God! He takes care of me everyday! Jesus is my Rock! Without them I am nothing! I depend on them for everything! Everyone has the right to their own opinion. I,myself,take heed to God's warnings and opinions. Take care my friends and all those who aren't my friends yet but hope you will be ,be safe! :-) Your comments are welcomed.

david yes it can, a power grid is just that and when you have your own natural or man made sources its called being off the grid, there are people who live off the grid in Dorris, CA their whole lives with nothing but solar cells a few car batteries and a few inverters or a small wind farm,most are shielded and grounded to prevent static buildup and the solar cells can be shielded in a shed with ferrite or lead paint or just buried until needed and the inverters can be put in a steel box in your home until needed, i know because i can build emp devices for testing, honestly though you really wont want to be on the grid unless you need an air conditioner or heater but fire works just as well for heat and shade for cool air, the only things that really matter is food, water, shelter and protection/survival gear/weapons and knowing how to use it and the land around you to your benefit. been there done that, prefer not to.

I hope the world ends cuz all of you are idiots who keep breeding and putting a halt to evolution

Jared mo;

And you are comparatively what?, The genetically superior example are you? By your statement I see Darwinism should kick in any time now. In the event of a CME induced grid failure, I see you being one of the first casualties. I doubt you posess the ability to do without all your technology and life aids.

As Scarletbirds points out, it all comes down to basics. I have been generating my own electricity for over twenty years via a hydro-electric system. All nicely shielded from the effects of EMP. It runs my well, house and all I need, Including my government surplus broadband sat-link, I am my own ISP. Self-sufficiency is one of my things. Not paying for things I can do myself has it's advantages. It's also why I live way out in the boonies. That way, if it all goes sideways, I can see the "zombies", (the people with no survival skills, most Urbanites, criminals, street thugs) a long way off and deal with them accordingly.

If a world wide event shut down power and communications, how long do you think polite society would prevail over the every man for them self mindset? A week? Two? A month? When the chips are down, these so called civilized people, will eat each other. I understand the human animal far better than you might think. History shows again and again, humans in times of crisis are anything but. See video tapes of the looting, robbing, raping, killing in the tapes of the Katrina after math. So very civilized, wasn't it? I hope you don't find that out the hard way, but, we'll see. All it may take it a mid to high X range CME.

true that, just wish i lived in the deep forests or a modified cave covered in woods far from any cities, even if travel was somewhat expensive it beats having to deal with people you don't like every day or people who cause trouble without a good reason or people trespassing and a reduced chance of someone stealing your stuff while your gone. i also heard recently that the government is selling their decommissioned underground missile silos and bunkers, i could do a lot with just one of these and a couple bags of concrete for walls and some other special hardware, just fence off a silo and cover it with trees and a garden or solar panels shaped and colored like trees to fool people from a distance and use led growth lights underground to protect your goods and go topside when you need meat with a solar cooled thermoelectric mass freezer that turns the waste heat into hot sterile water that's used to heat the building when not in use, use food waste for fuel if needed and a place to build weapons and ammo and tools as needed and recommend building a big spring loaded or weighted dynamo generator to remove the need for fuel. I'm sure i can think of more but that's all for now.

Ok guys. I'm a fourteen year old girl and I trust God to let what happens happen. Cause I know, 100%, that the world will not end this year. In Revelation it explains what will happen and the events to look for. I'm not scared of dying cause I know what my next step would be....I would gladly accept it to see my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But I will tell u this, In Revelation it says that millions of believers will disappear all around the globe because Jesus has come to get them. Then there will be 7 years of destruction. The disappearances wont start the 7 year tribulation but the peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel. There will be World War 3, A Global Earthquake that will move Islands and Mountains out of their places, large Hail mingled with blood will fall to the earth, A Great "Mountain burning with fire" Was cast into the sea, and there fell a great star, burning as it were a lamp,was cast into all waters and made them bitter and the star was called Wormwood, A third part of the Sun,Moon, and Stars burned out. Locusts will have stingers as the stingers of scorpions and will cause pain for 5 months, then will men seek death but not find it. An army of Horsemen will have heads as the heads of Lions and their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone, and their tails were like snakes which did strike men. These are things which will happen during the 7 year period, dont believe me look it up in the bible. So many things have happened that have been predicted but people dont wanna believe it for some odd reason. The truth is out there now folks, will you accept it and come to Jesus, or will you ignore my message?

nothing truly ends! it only continues. take any book that's been written and edited by man only at face value as anyone can put lies on paper for who truly knows what was written on the very first bible but the publisher them self, aside from how-to manuals i treat every book like a story to be read and learn from, i never treat it as fact because that's dangerous and causes trouble, it would be like a million people telling you its safe to jump off a cliff and something good will happen if you do, only to find out later they all wanted you dead behind your back. treat this world as a place to observe/create events as needed/wanted and observe time passing and learn from others mistakes by that observing, you'll see life become simpler and more streamlined without a need for guidance or a goal and in the process you'll become truly useful over time from your learning just as i have. religion is good for those who truly need guidance but for those who do not they guide themselves without a need of extra guidance and learn what they can and will and become truly wise over time, smart is what you do with it, same as wise and genius and other traits.

nothing truly ends! it only continues.

I know of a dead end street were you could test that theory doing around 80mph if you wish.

So many things have happened that have been predicted but people dont wanna believe it for some odd reason.

because those "predictions" are a bunch of hogwash that people have been "certain about the signs" for the last 2000 years and they are still a bunch of hogwash.

if you actually knew any real history, you would know this

no doubt you were "hoam-skuuled" to protect you from reality

i'll hit the end of that dead end street with an airplane and continue. it's only an end if you see it as one.

The road is only 35 feet long and runs into the side of a mountain, but who am i to stop you from killing yourself to prove my point.

fine rocket pack with parachute. where there's a will there is a way. the road didn't end there's simply a mountain continuing after the road, the planet is a sphere so without obstructions you can walk in any direction forever. this planet will last as long as its half-life and the sun will last as long as its fuel supply and even then it will continue as something else, nothing truly ends it gets recycled as something else.

the road didn't end there's simply a mountain continuing after the road,

So you admit the road ended,

thanks

even if there's nothing there's something! because nothing is still something! same as an absence of nothing! because it's something! the road may have ended but you can climb a mountain. any obstacle can be conquered or survived with the right tools, the road only ended because that's where it started, turn around and the road stretches forever in a circular loop in an infinitely larger space from the limited point of the mountain offshoot, it was only the end because you saw it as one instead of the beginning.

SCARLETBIRDS

you said.

nothing truly ends! it only continues.

And you said

the road may have ended

Nuff said.

Thanks.

nice try, but everyone else knows what i meant and you are trolling by taking what i said out of context, with that redundant thinking process you'll never understand physic's in the proper light, the ending is simply the beginning and infinite in a loop, it never ends.

So you admit the road ended,

thanks

This is the END of my comments on this subject with you...bye..the end.

than i win, but the question is what if the road never ends or starts it simply "is" and always has been with no starting or ending the law of conservation of mass and energy proves my point as well as the theory of relativity, it all points to something that never ends or starts with no beginning or end, even if i die my body Will be converted into energy and matter for other living things and broken down into dirt which feeds plants or other living things as they come along, that means that the universe will always balance itself out and recycle all forms of energy to be reused again and again for infinite uses with no loss what so ever and mass is simply another form of energy that changes forms as well and it all interacts whether it wants to or not so the universe is in perfect balance even if parts are chaotic. i believe i made my point.

The 2003 flare was approx an X40 equivalent to the "Carrington Event" (Google). And for authorities to say "we have enough experience with these flares" only means they have dealt with lesser events. An X40 aimed directly at earth will cause transformers to fail. That is a certainty (English grammar aside).

Seconded Schwyz1. Heck, brush up nothing. Maybe just pass sixth grade English in the first place. It's the "most bestest" option.

Uhmmm...

In the caption of the top photo: "...highlighting a bright X-class flare toward the upper right of the sun's disk... "

That would be the other right, right? Otherwise known as the ... uhmmm... left?

:)

I agree. It a disgrace that such poor command of English exists among those who are professional writers and degreed scientists. In fact, it is an embarrassment

Definitely don't fly anywhere or waste money on electrical goods until we get the all clear. Not much abnormal activity from birds but bees have been going a bit haywire.

I agree. It a disgrace that such poor command of English exists among those who are professional writers and degreed scientists. In fact, it is an embarrassment.

LOL, It's not a poor command of English. It was a simple mistake that anyone could have made. Don't take it so personally.

its funny the amount of grammar nazis that hang out on these posts just to correct the people writing the articles also mot invest in bismuth foil it will protect electronics from emp and surge protectors before you get to the guts of the electronics you can self install a fuse that goes to the computer in your car and wrap it in bismuth and it will not get shorted by emp it will only blow the fuse which can easily be replaced

Awful lot of perfect people commenting about us commoners today. Mistakes happen regardless of your level of education or pedigree.

Perhaps instead we should be happy we have the technology to observe and forecast solar events like this.

We should build an indestructible (spelling) dome over us :)

If you are afraid for your consumer electronics and have the cash build a faraday cage.

On a side note, have any of grammar nitpickers thought about teaching in high schools? Kids these days don't know how to spell and could really use your help. In fact some kids are actually use texting "language" on homework.

The only way to eliminate human error, is to eliminate the human. All hail to the rise of the machines !

Alan-

I think it's pretty cool you're following what people are talking about. I've used newsvine a lot and I haven't really seen other authors doing this.

The points people are picking at are pretty lame...

Yeah, welcome Alan. Come by anytime. You aren't the only person on this thing that makes mistakes. Gosh, there are even some Republicans here. Enjoyed your story.

Actually Alan, you can't be held responsible. It was your computer keyboard reacting to the news it may soon be nothing but melted plastic and burned wires. LOL

Seriously, thank you for this article. It is enlightning, interesting, and a little bit nervewracking for us old geezers, especially ones having been in the fields of electricity and electronics over the last several, plus, decades.

I agree with Frosty. Thanks for the article, Alan!

Noblib: they are doing that in college as well . If Alan can't write, wait and see what's coming to your local workplace soon. Oy.

As a Dyslexic from back when most people would have thought it was some kind of religion. I can barely express my feelings about spelling/grammar Nazis without lapsing into profanity. The heck they made of my life when I was a kid is unforgivable. They know full well what you where saying yet they complain anyway. I think they are just to dumb to get meaning from context. They should be ashamed.

I love your column. Ignore the fools in the cheep seats.

Alan Boyle is without question , the best article poster on the vine ....

How was my statement above .... ??

Did I put enough commas .... ??

The sun is fixing on nuking us and those guys are bitching about the guys grammar. We so deserve this cleansing that's coming...

Whats a comma?

In the caption of the top photo: "...highlighting a bright X-class flare toward the upper right of the sun's disk... "

That would be the other right, right? Otherwise known as the ... uhmmm... left?

Are you positive that he was not looking at the negative?

Jeff D & other critics;

But, of course, everyone knows you are perfect in every respect and a typo or two could never befall you. But then, I don't recall seeing your by line. Either qualify your criticism or shut up.

a scientists job isn't grammar, i would rather have someone who knows what their doing and is perfect for the task than someone who can't spell vs someone who's anal about their spelling and doesn't actually know what their doing. getting the job done is the most useful feature a person can have, it makes things much less complicated that way.

I know what I'm doing, and I know how to spell 'there'. Do I get extra points?

whats the difference between a brown-noser and a s*** head?

depth perception!

i can also spell "there", so can spell check!LOL!

points?! i didn't know we were keeping track!

PS I've got more where that came from but they can't be used here(yes i know, in bad taste!).

a scientists job isn't grammar, i would rather have someone who knows what their doing and is perfect for the task than someone who can't spell vs someone who's anal about their spelling and doesn't actually know what their doing. getting the job done is the most useful feature a person can have, it makes things much less complicated that way.

"they're"

OK?

;)

I welcome this online class. It is refreshing to go to a very interesting article, to read about the possibility that life as we know it may end, and be able to also learn about the finer points of correct and incorrect use of the English language. Rarely do we see such a unique opportunity- to learn about two things at once! The only problem I have is my memory- did I click on an English language improvement class, or an article about solar flare devastation?

close enuf!

What about the tin foil hats?

tin foil hats are only for people who dont understand elemental science or how things work at all i reccomend tinfoil hats for people who insult without knowledge of a particular subject so that they can keep their ignorant brainwaves from spreading to others

And where does one find this bismuth foil, Walmart, Ace Hardware ?

@derpy...good call. Also, a faraday box is relatively easy to build, if your looking to protect small items. Large scale requires most skill and $. If you search online, you can find simple plans to build.

Basic principle is to ground a surrounding metal container, and build an insulated, non conducting "container" box.

I was goofing around one day and built one out of a 55 gallon lided steel drum, grounded it with rebar in 6 places around the barrel, secured with rabbit wire. I sunk the rebar (at varying depths of 4-5 feet) into the ground. I made a box out of 1/2 ply, on 1" doweled platform legs, with a recessed lid. All seams were rabbited and glued...no nails. The box was small enough to fit inside the barrel without touching the sides.

LOL, haven't had the chance to see if it actually works.....but you get the gist of it. I seriously hope I don't get find out...

BTW...would Pepto Bismal do the trick?

Home Depot has a crapload of it. It's in the Sky Is Falling section. Right next to toilet plungers, I think.

you can buy it online with just about anything else that is made these days

That is up until the big solar flare hits, then you are SOL and had better hope your local gun shop isn't sold out.

Shhhh, don't give them ideas!

Too late - I plan on blaming them all. It's much more fun ;)

you didn't mention immigrants...

No mention of any religion either. =/

Knock on wood.

Everyone knows it was due to lack of access to contraception.

Einstein asked the same question and couldn't find a connection that worked. At present, electromagnetism and gravity are still considered separate forces of nature and haven't been "unified." However, Einstein's equations of special relativity do describe how electromagnetism appears differently to observers moving at different speeds.

I think the answer is yes but that is just my personal opinion. It is not confirmed scientifically yet, but work on the Higgs Bosun may provide the answer. i.e. Do positive particles have an attractive property or not. If not they may need to change E=mc2 to -E=mc2 to make the formulaes such as the Higgs Bosun work. Personally I think that magnatism is to metal as static electricity is to other materials and static electricity has been seen to behave like gravity in space. Along those lines Hydrogen has the same electron count as other metals. The issue is whether gravity is another form of energy or negative energy.

It is ....

Very little increase in the Sun's overall heat or UV reaching the Earth's surface. It's the electrical and magnetic fields of the high-speed charged particles that are the big concern. Perhaps someone else can pick up where I leave off ...

It could become increasingly disruptive. I'm concerned about the escalation of man-made flow-on effects caused through trying to compensate. We take too much for granted in our everyday lives.

From my limited understanding, the biggest dangers are to electrical systems (i.e. satellite systems and terrestrial power grids). Since we obviously rely on the electrical grid to power our lives, and satellites handle a ton of communications, disruption or loss of these assets for even a short period of time is costly (in time and money). I have never read of any danger to humans from these storms.

I_lVl_l - Huh? Sorry, not much of a science expert - what did you just say about "man-made flow-on effects" and what did it mean? Agree about the taking for granted, and I may agree with the other as soon as I understand it! All you scientists: English, please, for us lit majors.

Will there still be power bills? How will we pay the bills? Will be have access to the banks? Will our banks accounts get "fried"? Will radios work on batteries? Can people transmit to those radios? No power for gas stations? No gas for generators? No surgeries? Freezers full of food left powerless? It is a sobering thought to ponder.

The thing is: any conductor will generate a charge in the presence of a changing magnetic feild. If the conductor is a circuit it will make a current. Bigger pulse means bigger changing feild and bigger current. The bigger the circuit the bigger then current. The power grid is massive. It could generate lots of current. Like a huge lightning strike, it could knock out every electrical device in your house whether it is off or on. Lots of electronics are sensitive. Satalites are less protected by Earth's magnetic feild. Could get rough on satalites.

I would think you would get a shock from a tin foil hat.

We're going to zap ourselves into oblivion.

The sun- the greatest catch 22 of them all.

It blinds you as you drive home in the winter, even if it's 25 degrees outside.

A little sunlight is good for you, vitamin d, etc.- too much will give you cancer.

The earth needs it to survive, almost all living things need it to survive, yet one day it will burn itself out, implode, and cause a black hole that swallows the earth.

Ain't life a bitch?

To small to cause a black hole. Neutron star yes.

Or a white dwarf perhaps.

Put on sun screen. The earths magnetic field does the rest.

This storm is electromagnetic, so unless your a cyborg no additional UV protection is needed.

The Earth's massive molten revolving iron core is what gives us our incredibly mighty shield from whatever the Sun can throw at us. She's a beaut and she's been chucking the Sun a brown-eye for billions of years. The Sun can kiss my supple smooth white ass. As for super frequency electronic signals, waves, transmissions, neutrinos etc.. they just tickle my fancy and go right through me. We have evolved in unison with everything accorded by creation. I am a God.

Chris,

"Put on sunscreen. With a spf of what....165? Is'nt that like wearing a long sleeve flannel shirt? :)

Now Mot. There can't be two of us.

The news spews views but still we have no clues except in what we lose.

I know what you mean, however I didn't find anything particularly pun-ny about this headline.

Yes. We are kind of like bacon inside a giant microwave oven. Only the Sun can save us from the tyranny of technologists and greedy entrepreneurs. It explains the class gap. We are human shields for the obscenely wealthy.

Wow ! either your your a Zen master, or the meds have worn off.

I_lVl-l.....that was most poetic.

Just roughly, what do you propose we should do? It might be a blessing in disguise.

I would partially agree with you.

If you are referring to an event that would bring us (meaning civilized human society) back to our senses, you could be right.

I believe that there should be a day of reckoning in a lot of areas of our lives:

We have complacency, arrogance, corruption, crime, narcissism and stupidity at the highest and, ostensibly, the most authoritative and "legal" areas of our civilization.

Yet, it seems that everyone is the first to say it is not their fault. It's always the other guy.

The financial institutions and people in high positions of power and influence misuse and abuse their stations. Yet, the little guy tries in every way he/she can to beat the system. It goes in both directions.

Yet, we, the SHEEPLE, do this and allow these conditions to happen.

Who votes them into power?

Who allows them to continue without, at least, asking questions?

Will anyone dare to prosecute or refuse to vote for or against those responsible?

NO! The SHEEPLE have become mesmerized by the silver tongues of our media that are the mouthpieces of the powerful and greedy.

I could go on.

But, isn't this subject just plain out of topic?

The great thing about when we go into survival mode is helping each other and maintaining morale.

But, if as you say that we are the human shields for the obscenely wealthy, and that we are bacon (more like mutton) in a microwave, how can we help each other outside of maintaining a reasonal facsimile of morale?

What will these wealthy thugs do that could be any better than the rest of us anyway?

If we, the little guys, burn to a crisp who will they have to do their dirty work?

It is just like these financial "geniuses" robbing the system. Whatever they come up with - derivatives and other counterfeit junk - their actions devalue the dollar that they rob.

Whether we, or they, believe it or not we are all in the same boat, no?

The bad thing about when we go into survival mode is eating each other and fending off Lord Humungous and his minions.

Apologies to Kevin.

@RFBS...I think if we get a scenario like that, I'd have to put my money on the little guy. Who do you think would have a better chance out in the wild? The pampered lap dog that can't even boil water, or the person that has to scrape to survive every day as it is....

Yeah, my money's on the little guy...still hope we don't have to find out.

Well said pam montgomery. we little people have been making due living hand to mouth for so long it is a way of life, how are the rich going to make it when their money just goes away. I also hope we do not find out

It's sad we have destroyed our children and grandchildrens future. Did we really think we could do so much damage to our planet and atmosphere and it not fight back. Now lets see what our maker decides to do with us for the damage we caused.

I DO have faith in the little guy, also, like Pam said.

However, I don't believe any of us know what the outcome will really be with a Carrington-like event, now. We've become more dependent upon satellite technology since 1859. A similar blast could paralyze and reduce a lot of the infrastructure that we have become accustomed to.

Scientists have discovered a major catastrophic event that happened about 65,000 years ago, creating Hudson's Bay in Canada and the Carolina Bays on our east coast. They believe it was a cometary body that hit, which is the worst. Like a nuclear weapon, it "detonates" just above the surface and causes much more damage than a piece of rock making an impact.

Evidence has been found that this single event wiped out life on the entire North American continent to such an extent that it took centuries to recover. Flora and Fauna were destroyed and their remains rotted wherever they fell, poisoning everything around.

Even those (the very small animals) who managed to escape had a difficult time due to the absolute toxicity of the environment.

We, as human beings - in this modern society, yet - have not experienced anything close to this, world wars included. I, as a fellow little guy, don't believe that even I can imagine what this could be like.

If something enormous like this happens, Pam, let's hope that we will be able to find water that can be boiled. Let's hope that there will be air to breathe.

oops

I've been watching Doomsday Preppers. There are definitely a few of those folks that are probably unwadding their panties just about now.

I think my idea of prepping will include a nice dose of cianide. God knows I don't have any interest in living around those nutjobs.

If you have to preps put by you will not have to live around them long. Now...make a million bucks on this idea...Special foil snuggies for sale...$19.95! Guaranteed to keep out the radiation from head to toe...get one for your pet! Nuclear radiation protection for only $24.95. Work fast.

Well maybe, just maybe, the 2012ers might shy away from MSNBC, preferring to get real news and truth from a more reliable source?

For the best information on EMP and the sun's capabiliy to do what EMP does, the foremost experts in this field are at EMPactAmerica.org. EMPactRadio.com is another source. Try googling EMPact america to further your knowledge. GuardTheGrid.com is another excellent source. There is a world of information out there concerning man made and natures way of bringing earth to its kness. Its not a game, its very real the forces out there that face each and every one of us. Take the time to inform yourself and others. The sad thing is that our leaders are well aware of the implications of man made and natural effects and there is a relatively cheap way to protect our valuable power grid but they still sit by idly. If you have the time, go to the much repected National Geographic website and type in keyword "EMP" and you will find an hour long presentation of the very real danger of both EMP and the sun's own way of doing the same dirty deed.

You are correct. Our modern supply chains rely on electricity in nearly every aspect, from fuel to food to communication. When this supply chain breaks down, food supplies will quickly run short, not to mention water, fuel, etc. When people can't feed their families, they are going to get that food by any means they can. Remember the saying "we are only 9 meals away from anarchy".

And the problem with that dependence is that we don't know how to do anything anymore. We leave it to the "machines."

Over time, many systems have been "hardened"..and after the big blackout in New England a few years ago...some power systems were retooled to anticipate a severe disturbance and shut down. It could be bad, but back during the Carrington event...systems were WAY more vulnerable.

Sorry to correct you, Pam... but systems that were around during the Carrington event were actually much LESS vulnerable than systems in use today. Telegraph systems and such were much less complex in design... and mostly based around relatively heavy guage wiring (compared to today's modern electronics, that is). The vacuum tube hadn't even been invented yet (or at the very least, was in it's infancy). Todays electronic systems are based around semiconductor/solid state technology (i.e. microprocessors, transistors, etc) which "generally" have a very low tolreance to high current/voltage. Ask anybody that works on a computer for a living... one of the golden rules is "always ground yourself to the case to get rid of any static electricity before handling any computer components". That is because even a simple static shock can ruin certain computer parts. Your home computer might plug into a 110 volt wall outlet, but the majority of the components inside the computer run on 12 volts, or less, and relatively low current. The currents/voltages induced by the Carrington flare would turn the typical home computer into nothing more than a fancy paperweight. A surge protector might protect it from surges on the outside electrical grid, but you would still have all of the windings of wire inside the actual computer power supply that would generate current/voltage when hit by the magnetic field effects caused by the CME. Personally, I hope we never have to find out. Thankfully, these CMEs are much smaller than the Carrington event. And, from what I understand, even if a large CME does strike the Earth, it isn't so much the "size" of the CME that matters... it is the "polarity" of the CME when it hits the Earth's magnetic field. Yeah, I know.... I watch too much "Science Channel"... lol :)

A religion today worships the sun ....

Bigben That's the son I think you mean. equally ridiculous though. Ooh Ooh now i did it.

from pre history the end of the dresden codex shows the plumed serpent flooding the world with water pouring from its mouth at the end of time. and from ancient time for over a billion people 2012 is the year of the water dragon. what would be the possibilty that a cmg could condensate the atmosphere flooding the planet until it evaporated back into the atmosphere. and when does sunspot 1429 point directly at earth...

Blackbird,

Each civilization has a history of cosmic events...many have legends of creation and world wide floods. If you are interested the Bible has predictions in Revelation. The writings are prophetic and use metaphorical language. To understand the metaphors sometime takes a full reading of both the Old and New Testament.

Did any of you catch the hail storm in Cincinnati, OH on the Internet this week? They could not hear each other inside the studio and showed hail stones larger than golf balls. Some storm...I wonder if all the tornadoes were related to the solar weather?