The Wondering Brit

Solar Storms is, oddly enough, not the name of a porn star (though, they may be one named that). They are of course the storms and flares on the Sun’s surface, created by the energy release from massive immeasurable nuclear fusion and cause unbelievable and costly damage to the world’s satellite systems and other terrestrial systems every year.
As these flares hit the protective magnetic field shielding of the earth, they create the amazing light show we often call the Northern/Southern Lights aka aurora borealis.

This phenomena is very serious and not of science fiction, it’s real – very real. Now just about everything the sun does, you could (for want of a better phrase) set your watch by it. Right now, the Sun is calm, very calm – too calm and this is not good news. You see, major or ‘super’ flares only happen when the Sun seems to be in a state of calm. Indeed, it’s at this time when Solar Super Storms occur.

In 1859 just this very thing happened and further more it was recorded in depth by the scientists of the day. What happened was that basically a flare came from the Sun straight at the Earth. With the flare came this explosive release of a massive cloud of magnetically charged plasma called a coronal mass ejection.

When it hit the magnetic field of the Earth, it did so with so much force that it bent the magnetic field right through our atmosphere. Basically the sky turned red and night turned to day with the astro fire storm against the magnetic field, and while the electrical systems and telecommunication systems of the day were very basic, it is said that the least telephone operators got away with were serious shocks through there headphones etc.
Compasses spun erratically and basically all power, communication and the ability to navigate stopped dead!

Now in the 21st century, we have a highly developed electrical system and communications. In fact we rely completely on electricity, telecommunications, computers and GPS.
The thing is, as and when this colossal Solar Super Storm starts, none of these systems will work. Infact if we haven’t switched off everything and disconnected it by the time the flare hits – it will be destroyed.

NASA have very special satellites watching the Sun and as such, there will be warning – but that warning might only be 12 hours! But in the very worse case, and I mean a “massive” solar flare there will be warning.  But almost every year we lose satellites and get telecommunication/radio interruptions by these things anyway. But, if it IS a “massive” flare then we really do have a problem.
In 12 hours, the entire world has to be notified to switch everything off and disconnect it  – and that my friends means that people will die! Because everything has to be switched off, the power stations, the telecommunication systems, the water purification system, aircraft grounded, life support machines and all other hospital equipment – EVERYTHING has to be switched off!!
Then, once we are sure the storm and threat has passed, slowly they’ll bring power stations back online and everything else – however, this does not mean it’ll all work – in fact we’ll be lucky if 50% of everything works at the end of it.
It’s certainly not good for people requiring emergency treatment or those whom have pacemakers fitted.

So, when is this due to happen? If we’re lucky (and by that I mean very, very lucky) it’ll only cause medium damage and take out a few satellites. Even so, NASA estimate that this event WILL take place between 2010 and 2012.

What can you do?
This is quite straight forward, you’ll need water for at least one week, but two would be a very good idea. And dried food stuffs to make up with some of the water. Some form of basic solid fuel heater to warm water for cooking etc and consideration must be taken into account that the sewage systems may well not be working. Further to this, candles etc and first Aid kits.
Park your cars further from your house than normal and remove the battery from it – as you should for every device that carries them i.e. laptops, torches and burglar alarms. Also, disconnect TV’s and TV ariels/cables and unplug everything from the main electricity supply and switch off the power at the fuse board.
If you get 12 hours to do these things, then you should have enough time to get home and sort out the water and get ready, but dried food stuffs like, rice, pasta, milk powder, candles and cooking equipment should be purchased before hand.

Remember, this is electro-magnetic energy, when it happens – no car, no phone no radio, fridge, TV, no power will work at all  – any switched on processor will fry!
At least the third world will be ok – but in the West, we’re used to our creature comforts – and most will be gone for a while.

But you’re welcome around my place for a BBQ if you like