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Is a 'Katrina-Like' Space Storm Brewing?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the or-maybe-thats-just-a-nice-cup-of-tea dept.

pilsner.urquell writes "A newly released NASA report warns that the world has forgotten the power of the sun, creating a technological society susceptible like never before to large infrastructure damage from solar storms. According to the report, the world has grown so dependent on modern technologies without respect of what the sun can and has done, that it's risking major communications, finance, transportation, government and even emergency services disruptions."

9 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. I know the solution by alexj33 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Space Carbon Credits are the answer. Make the check out to me.

  2. finance by thhamm · · Score: 5, Funny

    "... risking major ... finance, ... disruptions."

    who needs the sun for that?

  3. Rather dramatic by DeadPixels · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Space Katrina" sounds rather dramatic, but wouldn't the atmosphere lessen the damage? Granted, it's still a valid concern that should be considered, but TFA seems like it's a bit more "doomsday" and a little less "this could happen".

    1. Re:Rather dramatic by dtolman · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Think the report is kidding around? Go lookup what happened in Quebec on March 13th, 1989. The whole power system was knocked out in seconds. Then go read about the kind of storm they're worried about - the solar storm of 1859.

      It actually caused telegraph wires to short out across Europe and the Americas - some even caught on fire. If that happened now, it would cause global power outages, fried computer equipment (including the ones that control your fancy electronic car), and everything except for milsats in orbit could be knocked out.

      So will people be directly killed? No. But when the fly-by-wire planes fall out of the sky, your new car won't work, your cell phones are dead, power is dead, the internet is down, and landlines fried - I bet it won't take long for a lot of people to die anyway.

  4. Only thing to do by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess there's only one thing to do - Destroy the sun!

  5. And now for something completely different by jerep · · Score: 5, Funny

    A study funded by NASA has flagged up yet another terrible hazard for those no longer able to get excited about nuclear war, global pandemics, terrorism, climate change, economic meltdown and asteroid strike.

    I for one welcome our weekly disaster overlords.

    --
    Do you D?
  6. the term "katrina-like" makes me angry... by converter · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It really, really bugs me. A lot. I know they are only using it to give the impression of a powerful and disastrous storm. It just seems that likening a coronal mass ejection to a "katrina-like" event is as realistic as likening a tornado to that little swirl in your bathtub drain.

  7. Mr. Faraday reporting by assemblerex · · Score: 5, Funny

    Seriously guys, I figured this out ages ago... -Faraday

  8. Re:Just a thought by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Right. If people had lower taxes, the first thing they'd think of to spend the money on would be EMP-resistant electronics.

    They would forgo extra vacations, faster cars, Jacuzzis, expensive Champagne and plastic surgery, so that they could upgrade to a rad-hardened TV set. They would show off their Faraday-enclosed gear at parties to impress their friends.

    I'm 100% confident that's what everyone would do, and solar storms would be no longer be a risk to anyone.