Doomwatchers: January 2012

INTRODUCTION

There’s a kind of doomsday feel to things right now - have you noticed? It’s not just that the Mayan calendar runs out on December 21st of next year. It’s not even the plethora of new warnings from astrophysicists, doctors and geologists about the possibly catastrophic events that are now known to be on the not-too-distant horizon. It has more to do with the zeitgeist, an undifferentiated sense that things can’t go on like they are forever.
And, of course, there are clues. Almost daily, items half-buried in news reports point to the Doom scenarios just lurking around the corner. Maybe you are too busy or too trapped in denial to notice them all, so this blog is here to help you keep track.

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Something to Worry About Today

Just 3 weeks into 2012 and destructive solar flares have started.

NASA scientists have confirmed that the strongest solar storm since 2005 began on the 22^nd. This will disrupt satellites and any astronauts who happen to be in orbit will get a radiation dosage that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Aircraft flying near the poles will also be affected.

But the bad news is that the Earth’s magnetic field continues to weaken, removing the protective blanket that keeps most bad solar radiation off us. Scientists predict that the flares will continue to strengthen throughout this year and peak in 2013 (if any). There is a possibility that all digital equipment could be damaged or rendered ineffective. Yes, air traffic control, television transmissions, the Internet—even your smart phone.

Look out your window. Those pretty green streaks in the sky are the Northern Lights. What are they doing way down here?