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Sun Storms Deplete Ozone, Too

An anonymous reader writes "Turns out the sun itself zaps the ozone that protects us from the sun. LiveScience is reporting that the record-setting string of solar storms around Halloween in 2003 (including an X28 flare) set off a cascade of events that depleted the ozone layer over the Arctic in early 2004. In a nutshell, more nitrogen was created, and an unusually strong vortex of high-speed winds aloft brought the nitrogen down, where it contributed to cutting ozone by 60 percent over the polar region. In January, the a European scientist warned residents of the far north to basically stay out of the sun. While chlorofluorocarbons are still blamed for ozone depletion, scientists said this study shows they don't properly account for the sun's impact."

8 of 467 comments (clear)

  1. CAUTION! by inertia187 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do not look at record-setting solar storms with remaining good eye.

    --
    A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
  2. Since the dawn of time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    man has yearned to destroy the sun.

  3. That's it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm done using their Java. Here I come Microsoft.

  4. The sun is trying to kill us; by Vicsun · · Score: 4, Funny

    There is only one solution...


    Nuke the sun.

    1. Re:The sun is trying to kill us; by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      We'll have to do it at night so it doesn't see it coming.

    2. Re:The sun is trying to kill us; by leonmergen · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nonono, we need to invade

      --
      - Leon Mergen
      http://www.solatis.com
    3. Re:The sun is trying to kill us; by nacturation · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yes... nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

      --
      Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
  5. Weapons of Mass Destruction. by Cheapy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Recent events have showed us that we MUST cause a regime change for the Solarians. No longer must they live under the titanical rule of Sunddam Hydrogen.

    This evil dictator has created weapons of mass destruction, and has used them against nearby planets. A few years ago, we had them open their weapon factories to us so we could be sure they destroyed them all. But it has now come to our attention that they have weapons that could destroy the entire world.

    We can NOT stand by and let them do this. We must unite and attack them before they can destroy us. Anyone who is not with us, is with them. There is no other choice.

    The Earth must attack Sol.

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    Would you kindly mod me +1 insightful?