Solar Storm
rottenegg (guest) 05 Mar 2010 10:23
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&v=4_TzIUlaQok
What is the threat of this to mankind?
Solar Storm
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Summary:
NASA mentioned that the solar storm can wipeout mankind, and will happen 2012-2013. How possible it is, scientifically?
rottenegg (guest) 05 Mar 2010 10:23
Solar Maximum and solar storms have been happening through out the entire duration of earth's existence. We're talking 4,000,000,000 years. Thats about 363,636,363 solar maximums that have taken place, and many more solar flares/CME's then that. Why would this one be any different?
Based on the very slow start for the current solar cycle, there are expectations that the next solar maximum will occur in 2013 and be unusually weak. But only three years ago scientists were predicting a strong activity peak for this cycle. The Sun is always capable of surprising us, as it did with the recent 3-year lull in activity. Even more uncertain than the timing is the issue of possible damage to electronics from solar outbursts (especially on satellites in Earth orbit.) Such damage is possible but unlikely. Engineers have gotten pretty good at designing fault-protection systems in satellites. In the worst case the satellite might be turned off for a few hours to protect its electronics. Such specific outbursts (solar flares or coronal mass ejections) are not predictable. However, I don’t think we should expect any worse effects than we had in the solar maxima of 1990 and 2001. If you and your cell phone survived 2001, you should not be concerned about 2012-13. And let me add what I hope is obvious, that this has nothing to do with the crazy doomsday predictions for 2012 that continue frighten people on the Internet. -David Morrison NAI Senior Scientist March 4, 2010
As to the danger of large solar outbursts, the threat would be real enough for astronauts in deep space, and it is also possible to damage the electronics of satellites. But we don’t have any astronauts beyond low Earth orbit, and most satellites are now protected against solar outbursts. There remains a small chance of bringing down electrical grids, but we have taken steps to minimize this risk so that damage to one system does not spread to others. But in any case, no solar storm can cause harm to life on Earth! -David Morrison NAI Senior Scientist December 3, 2009
Here is what Nasa actually says about solar storms.
Hi Noemi,
Cameron has given you a very good explanation of this. I would like to add that, in talking about the solar cycle, we are talking about sunspot activity. Although more solar flares are usually produced during maximum sunspot activity, they can occur at any time in the cycle. In fact, the biggest geomagnetic storm ever recorded happened during a solar minimum. In addition, the solar storms of 2003 occurred two years after the previous solar max.
The Fox interview with Michio Kaku was several years ago using information that was current at the time, and was talking about a worst case scenario. Because the Sun has remained at minimum activity longer than usual, the next solar max is now expected to occur in 2013 and to be less energetic than usual. Also, satellites are being beefed up to withstand strong solar flares. In any case, they are not a threat to life on Earth. Unless you are not able to get by without your cell phone or your favorite TV shows for a time, you needn't worry. The Sun has been going through these cycles throughout your life and those of your parents, grandparents, and so on. Nothing has changed. You will be in no more danger in 2012 or 2013 than you have been at any time during your life.
No way in Hell is this true, Noemi. As Cameron adroitly pointed out, there have been millions of these events in the 500 million-plus year old history of life on this planet. And yet we're here.
The Sun must have been very active when it was younger, based on what we observe of other stars that are very young. And obviously the early Earth was not sterilized.
Anyone telling you this is true is so full of crap they probably believe that they're a septic tank.
Thank you so much guys, as you can see Ailene i keep checking back on this website the moment i hear any time of "the world will end" conspiracy. I hadn't had time to get to this page when the earth quake of Haiti and Chile struck, but the moment i had time I did and it calmed the down to see their was an actual update article about it. But yeah, every time i come here I am able to relax and think more about my future goals.
Noemi;
That's very cool! Thanks for that. I put up the Earthquake pages in a hurry, knowing that it would become a "reason" that people would use to believe in 2012.
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
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