We're Doomed Part 24 (Solar Flares)

[harrybarracuda]

An intense solar storm is expected to hit Earth on Friday 13th following three X-class flares emitted by the Sun over recent days.

The sun released three powerful solar flares within two days and the effects of this are expected to reach Earth tomorrow.

All were X-Class flares – the most intense of all solar flares – and were around 10,000 times as powerful as normal flares from the Sun.

Explaining how this will affect Earth, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Centre said the storm will reach our planet on Friday 13.

"After producing a pair of R3 (Strong) Radio Blackouts in quick succession yesterday morning, active Region 2087 produced yet another R3 event today," NOAA said in a statement.

"Impacts from this activity were short-lived and affected high frequency communications for the daylit side of Earth at the time of the flare. Continuing chances for more events R3 or greater events exists. Unlike yesterday, a Coronal Mass Ejection is not believed to be associated with this latest impulsive event.

"A CME associated with the activity yesterday morning has been observed moving at a flank from Earth and a glancing blow to Earth from this event is expected on June 13. An outside chance of at most G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic storms remains in the forecast."

A Geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere caused by solar wind.

The increase in solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic field and transfers energy into the magnetosphere, creating a magnetic force that cause radio and radar disturbances, disruption to magnetic compasses and auroras.

In 1989, a storm led to power outages across most of Quebec and auroras could be seen as far as Texas.

Nasa said: "Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground. However, when intense enough, they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel."

[pseudolus]

Hmm lucky I bought 2 dozen eggs on the way home.

[Begbie]

Will this affect television coverageo of the world cup?

[thaimeme]

Hmm lucky I bought 2 dozen eggs on the way home.

Commercial or free range?

[pseudolus]

Commercial or free range?

Dont know. There were no commercials on them, and they were not free. There was a range of them though and I chose Size 0. Does this help?

[thailazer]

Stay away from any telegraph keys in your home.

Solar storm of 1859 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[pseudolus]

I thought some of the preppers on that TV program were saying that these solar flares could wipe out all technology and we'd be back to the dark ages. Are the power outages basically caused by the electronic systems in the power stations going haywire?


Should have got some baked beans as well.

[Takeovers]

I thought some of the preppers on that TV program were saying that these solar flares could wipe out all technology and we'd be back to the dark ages. Are the power outages basically caused by the electronic systems in the power stations going haywire?

I am not sure how big the risk really is, probably quite low. However the worst case scenario would be that the large transformers terminating high power high voltage transmission lines could get fried. There is a very limited worldwide production capacity for this kind of transformers. You would have to order one years in advance even under normal conditions when planning high power lines. Replacing them could therefore take many years. In the meantime power distribution would be seriously reduced.

[BaitongBoy]

^Well now, that is very interesting...Don't "they" believe in back-up systems since it is a possibility?...Expense is a factor, I'm assuming...

[thailazer]

Here is a cool animation. Looks like we just getting the edge of a minor event.

Solar Wind Prediction

[pseudolus]

^Well now, that is very interesting...Don't "they" believe in back-up systems since it is a possibility?...Expense is a factor, I'm assuming...

What back up system do you propose for large transformers?

[BaitongBoy]

^Replacement transformers comes to mind?...

[pseudolus]

^Replacement transformers comes to mind?...

I dare say you are right, however,

There is a very limited worldwide production capacity for this kind of transformers

[Loy Toy]

Well I won't have to light up the barbecue this afternoon.

Just stick the steaks outdoors on a rack.

[Warrior]

Besides, will spare transformers not get fried?

[pseudolus]

Besides, will spare transformers not get fried?

If they are not attached to the cables, perhaps not? Who knows? Maybe there is something about the way they are constructed that makes them vulnerable?

Were need a sparkie to solve this for us.

[withnallstoke]

Whilst bright solar flares might hurt the eyes, i don't think they will cause any doomsday scenario.

The planet has already survived these flares in the sixties and seventies with no lasting problems.

[Takeovers]

Besides, will spare transformers not get fried?

They get fried because of high currents and voltages induced in very long landlines. You can protect them by switching off those lines during a storm, it is not that hard. What is needed is a good prediction of severe events. And of course an industry willing to cut them off to reduce risk.

Those transformers are extremely robust and long lived for anything else but surges caused by flares. The transformers and factory capacity to build them are very expensive. Because of that spares and spare capacity are so rare.

Space based sun observatories should be able to give warning in time. The problem is that there will be more warnings than actually harmful events making industry wary of switching off their services.

[kmart]

Whilst bright solar flares might hurt the eyes, i don't think they will cause any doomsday scenario.

The planet has already survived these flares in the sixties and seventies with no lasting problems.

Thank fuck its just a deadly weather phenomenon.

I read it that 70's flares were coming back as well. Nooooooooooooooo

[kmart]

Whilst bright solar flares might hurt the eyes, i don't think they will cause any doomsday scenario.

The planet has already survived these flares in the sixties and seventies with no lasting problems.

Thank fuck its just a deadly weather phenomenon.

I read it that 70's flares were coming back as well. Nooooooooooooooo

[withnallstoke]

I read it that 70's flares were coming back as well. Nooooooooooooooo

Bring back the flares by all means, as long as we chaps can sport the obligatory tash and sideburns.

[BaitongBoy]

^Replacement transformers comes to mind?...

I dare say you are right, however,

There is a very limited worldwide production capacity for this kind of transformers

Lack of foresight and planning because of unnecessary expense (hopefully)...

[BaitongBoy]

“Everything is more beautiful
because we’re doomed.
You will never be lovelier than you are now.
We will never be here again.”
― Homer, The Iliad