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[TwilightVulpine]

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2009/29may_noaaprediction/

It is tempting to describe such a cycle as "weak" or "mild," but that could give the wrong impression.

"Even a below-average cycle is capable of producing severe space weather," points out Biesecker. "The great geomagnetic storm of 1859, for instance, occurred during a solar cycle of about the same size we’re predicting for 2013."

The 1859 storm--known as the "Carrington Event" after astronomer Richard Carrington who witnessed the instigating solar flare--electrified transmission cables, set fires in telegraph offices, and produced Northern Lights so bright that people could read newspapers by their red and green glow. A recent report by the National Academy of Sciences found that if a similar storm occurred today, it could cause $1 to 2 trillion in damages to society's high-tech infrastructure and require four to ten years for complete recovery. For comparison, Hurricane Katrina caused "only" $80 to 125 billion in damage.

Suddenly, I feel like a doomsday nut. Who cares about mayans or whoever might have predicted something who knows when, this time a trusted scientific organization is predicting the possibility of a worldwide disaster. Who knows the damage such solar storm could cause to electrical grids, communication systems and even household/portable eletronics. Given how dependent on electricity we are, this could be terrible.

I am seriously thinking of building a faraday cage and keeping backup devices and generators there, aside from taking other measures to ensure survival in a land without electricity (the Horror  ).

[Saker]

Oh man , I can't wait , Back to our primitive nature when we were still fighting bears , riding dinosaurs and stuff like that . 

[Melly]

I'm not TOO worried. Companies will probably hurry to figure out solutions. You know, because their money is on the line here, and nobody messes with their money.

Unless, of course, they plan on letting everybody get fucked and have to re-buy every electronic they have.

[Gagege]

I guess I'll be turning my computer off for that whole month. I wonder if my cell phone would explode in my pocket?

[Mipe]

I believe it is the lines that are at stake there... this is basically induction, the longer the line, the bigger current runs through and blasts any appliances connected to it. Handheld devices and stuff should be safe as well as any appliances separated from the grid.

The power grid is one HUGE cake begging for some quality induction.

[boxedlunch]

damn my paranoia. two disasters?! we're all gonna die!

[Melly]

Can't the power companies just turn off the grids during the worst of it?

Well, at least I'll know when to unplug everything in the house.

[Mipe]

There's a lot of trafo stations that would have to be detached from the grid. Besides, people wouldn't be too happy about not having power for their Superbowl match, solar flares or not.

[TwilightVulpine]

All we know is that it will happen approximately May 2013, but it isn't clear yet how bad it will be, and in a worst-case scenario, how long it will last and when exactly it will begin and end. What about broadband internet and cable telephones, cellphones, wireless internet, television and radio frequencies. Would those be affected too? Which and to what extent? In case all eletronic communication is stalled, people should be warned long before it happens.

My greatest fear is that people dismiss this as unlikely to happen(or do not receive warning "to avoid panic", or rely too much on others which end up doing nothing or not enough) and then it hits full force.

[boxedlunch]

we're all gonna die!

[Melly]

Yeah, I think that this will need some big effort and cooperation between many different parties to avoid much damage.

I don't mind power and other electronic services being shut down during the worst of it, as long as critical places like hospitals get some kind of safe backup power. I'm pretty sure no power supplier in the planet wants all their grid burned to a crisp so I doubt this will be a huge calamity. Maybe a huge headache.

[Galaxy613]

Hardly sounds like the end of the world.

[boxedlunch]

well at least if it's only the power grids, we can still have cars for a while, that is until we lose the batteries. see i don't mind if it's one year, it'll give me time to read and draw concepts for new games, plus we've got a gas stove. the main problem will be refridgeration, and warning systems like tornado, and fire alarms would be shot.

[Seth]

well i just booked a month long camping trip

[William Laub]

The sun has left us no choice. We have to blow it up.