Space Age to Stone Age in eight minutes flat?
That’s how long it takes a massive solar flare to reach Earth from the Sun. And now it’s official: solar flares mean big problems for all of us during 2012, according to NASA.
While passing out the good news that a giant fireball from the Sun won’t destroy Earth next year, NASA also said that solar maximum flares (beginning in 2012) can cause serious disruptions to electronic equipment. This, of course, is what modern civilization is almost entirely dependent upon.
In comparing solar storms to hurricanes, scientists said that just as in advance of terrestrial storms, precautions might need to be taken. This would include turning off the electronics and “getting out of the way”.
Severe enough flares can mean the disabling of satellites responsible for navigation and communications. A strong episode can render such things as cash points, mobile phones and air traffic control facilities encumbered or useless.
Not worried? See our new book for a list of some of the most drastic effects.
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