There have been solar flares forever, every 11 years. All of a sudden, this next cycle is going to be the "big one" apparently, wiping out our power grid and making our GPS units no longer work. (I know, when the power goes out the first thing I do is run to the car and check my GPS...not.)
According to the fear-mongers at ABC, we aren't ready for a solar space storm that could knock out our electricity, our cell phones, even our water supply. This is based on the fact that, (b)ack in 1859, a solar eruption resulted in telegraph wires burning up. ...
How bad would the "Katrina Space Storm" be for us earthlings? Well, the NAS report suggests the storm could cascade through our modern world. First, the electric grid would be vulnerable, and could be shut down. It's the first big domino that, the report says, could lead to "disruption of the transportation, communication, banking, and finance systems, and government services; the breakdown of the distribution of potable water owing to pump failure; and the loss of perishable foods and medications because of lack of refrigeration."
OMG! Stockpile food...uh, no, can't do that, the refrigerator will be dead. I guess we'll all have to resurrect our 1950's bomb shelters and hope for the best.
Nothing like a healthy dose of fear for breakfast!
(image source lolcats; screenprint of article)
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