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6 Jan 09 - The National Academy of Sciences just released the
results of
a study examining what might happen to our high-tech society in the
event of a
super solar flare followed by an extreme geomagnetic storm. Such an
event in 1859 electrified telegraph lines, shocking technicians and
setting telegraph papers on fire. Northern Lights lit up the sky as far
south as Cuba, and were so bright that "you could read a newspaper by
their eerie glow."
According to the report, "a contemporary repetition of that event would
cause significantly more extensive (and possibly catastrophic) social
and economic disruptions." The report warns of widespread failures in
telecommunications, electric power, banking and finance, and
transportation; even water supplies could be disrupted.
No one knows how often super solar storms occur. We've only seen one
like it in the past 200 years. The next one could be another 200 years
away--or just 200 days. All the more reason to study space weather!
Mr. Felix,
“I have received your new book "MagneticRreversals" for a
Christmas present along with "Not by Fire but by Ice". I have
devoured both of them.
“I find this article as more proof of what you have said about
the upper atmosphere being set for nuclear blasts from the sun.”
Reader B Due
http://www.spaceweather.com/
(6 Jan 09)
Thanks to B Due and Winona Campbell for this link
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