Thread: Space storm alert: 90 seconds from catastrophe

The sunspot cycle will likely peak 2012 to 2016. The last null lasted longer than expected, so the next peak will likely be later than 2012. CMEs = coronal mass ejection occur about the same period. Fortunately Earth has not taken a direct hit from a big one in many decades. Way back then (vacuum tube era) many power line circuit breakers opened, but they were easily fixed in most cases. We have taken precautions such as transposing the wires at 100 meter or so intervals. This also reduces the radiation of 60 hertz, which saves money, so we still do it most everywhere.
We now have a transistor and integrated circuit ecconomy. The MOS type is especially vulnerable, so the military deployed EMP = electromagnetic pulse to destroy the enemies electronics. We hardened our military electronics from EMP and thus CME which are similar. Hopefully the hardening has tricked down to consumer electronics, otherwise a big CME that smacks Earth will make ten billion dead electronic devices, including your computer and high definition TV, cellphones etc. Neil