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[PTTG??]

So here we go, into the active period of the 24th solar cycle.

As does Punxsutawney Phil watch for his shadow to declare the coming of spring, a similar bucktoothed semiaquatic mammal- the Astronomer- watches the high latitudes of the sun* for the tell-tale reversed polarity sunspot. When the first reversed spot appears, that is to say one with the opposite magnetic polarity as the previous cycle's sunspots, then the new cycle has begun.

The past few years, ever since 2003 in fact, have been especially quiet, even for inactive years. However, we've already seen some powerful events in this cycle (though luckily, not aimed at earth), and we don't even expect the peak until 2012-2013.

The actual effects of these storms can be intense, but we are usually shielded by our planet**'s magnetic field. Which, to not mince words, has been weaker than usual. What we can expect to see are interruptions of the power grids, communications systems, and satellites. For instance, the Turn-of-the-Millenium flares caused a 6-day blackout in parts of Canada, and also caused disruptions in inhabited areas as well.

The worst-case scenario- perhaps a 1/500 chance- is a storm like the one we saw in the late 1800s, which accounts say fried telegraph wires and caused auroras in the Caribbean.

More likely, we'll have a few satellites get cooked (the GPS in particular is built of rather old devices), we might see a few communications breakdowns*** and we will most likely see a major blackout or two.

Since everyone loves a good panic, just imagine the worst-case scenario, which could be something like a very powerful flare at just the wrong time hitting the US, or Europe, with enough power to short out the whole power grid. More likely than not, some places would be back in only a day or two. It's just that others would most likely take rather longer than six days to get to, let alone reconnect.

*For safety reasons, please do not attempt without squinting.
**Earth
***Which will always be the same, and may cause some loss of sanity.

[ToonyMan]

From what I've learned we must riot the sun.

[Levi]

If we pollute more will the smog protect my ipod during this new apocalypse?

[klingon13524]

Japan doing a blackout: AAAHHH!!! WHEN WILL THIS TORTURE EEEEEND! PLEASE LET US DIE ALREADY!!!
America: OMG! FACEBOOK! TWITER! WASHING MACHINE!
Everyone on 4chan; FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-
Bay12ers; Haha, DF is offline! Wait, how long until my laptop battery runs out?
Amish people: Ooh! Pretty lights! Why are those other people freaking out?

[PTTG??]

If we pollute more will the smog protect my ipod during this new apocalypse?

An important point is that while nuclear EMPs can harm unshielded small electronics, these solar flares are a different beast. They are far more powerful, but they are a broader force that does not induce significant current in small conductive items, but creates huge currents over vast distances. Batteries will be difficult to acquire, though... but functionally, all your stuff will work. The big problem is that the grid itself will act as a giant antenna, which is where the threat comes from.

That all boils down to an important thing to remember about these storms. If you get warning of one, consider opening all your circuit breakers, cutting you off from the grid. This will most likely protect your home from surges... though that is conjecture on my part.

I'm right now reviewing this interesting if slightly hysterical article. It says:



Of course, that's assuming a worst-than-worst-case. Frankly I think he is exaggerating; even a very bad storm probably wouldn't destroy the grid entirely. How long it would take to fix, I really couldn't guess, but more than 3 years sounds too long.

[DJ]

According to a NatGeo documentary I watched the other day the worst case scenario is that it fries all those big current transformers that bridge the gap between high voltage (for long-distance transfer) and low voltage (for consumer use) networks. And these things usually aren't replaced very often, so we don't have enough production capacity to replace them all in short time. IIRC they said it'd take 20 years to build the current number of these things with the current production capacities.

[ToonyMan]

Why would it take 20 years to replace a bunch of burnt out capacitors?

[DJ]

Because there aren't enough factories that make those.

[GlyphGryph]

Obviously it wouldn't ACTUALLY take 20 years, our production capacity would change relatively quickly in response to something like that, but considering the grid would potentially be down while we were attempting the changeover (though I assume those would be fixed first)... a couple years would probably be reasonable.

[DrPoo]

Is this a good time to bury up the graveyard to get all the lead out of the oldies teeth?
Also, wheres that bat im was going to hammer some nails through?

Also, can a candle weld lead?
I wouldnt stand my laptop frying

Stupid that its first now it gets publicity, seriously, i knew about this when i was 6, and first now the popular culture is getting it..

[ToonyMan]

Damn you popular culture!

[PTTG??]

Well, an important consideration is electronic hardening- making the device in question more able to withstand EM forces. Much military hardware is so shielded.

I'd look at the grid frying as an opportunity to rebuild it stronger, harder, better, faster.

...Aneeeyway, remember, your electronics will be fine. It's the grid that would get fried.

If you're really worried, take a radio and tune it to a strong FM channel. Use that to find a spot where all you get is noise; that should be as safe as anything for your electronics. Check basements, and also consider putting it inside an unplugged microwave.

But again, the flares are not a danger to small electronics, only the very large things. The only thing that will damage small stuff is localized surges when transformers* explode.

*No, you may not make a joke involving giant robots.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

The worst-case scenario- perhaps a 1/500 chance- is a storm like the one we saw in the late 1800s, which accounts say fried telegraph wires and caused auroras in the Caribbean.

Accounts also said it caused telegraphs to function on their own, after being disconnected from their power source.

[kaijyuu]

Sounds like it'll be Fun.

[PTTG??]

The main thing would be figuring out how you're going to keep .3 billion people alive for a couple years without a working infrastructure.