[ssmit132]

http://www.news.com.au/technology/sun-storm-to-hit-with-force-of-100-bombs/story-e6frfro0-1225909999465

"The general consensus among general astronomers (and certainly solar astronomers) is that this coming Solar maximum (2012 but possibly later into 2013) will be the most violent in 100 years," astronomy lecturer and columnist Dave Reneke said.

"A bold statement and one taken seriously by those it will affect most, namely airline companies, communications companies and anyone working with modern GPS systems.

"They can even trip circuit breakers and knock out orbiting satellites, as has already been done this year."

...

Dr Richard Fisher, director of NASA’s Heliophysics division, told Mr Reneke the super storm would hit like "a bolt of lightning”, causing catastrophic consequences for the world’s health, emergency services and national security unless precautions are taken.

US government officials earlier this year took part in a "tabletop exercise" in Boulder, Colorado, to map out what might happen if the Earth was hit with a storm as intense as the 1859 and 1921 storms.

The 1859 storm was of a similar size to that predicted by NASA to hit within the next three years – one of decreased activity, but more powerful eruptions.

NASA said that a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences found that if a similar storm occurred today, it could cause “$1 to 2 trillion in damages to society's high-tech infrastructure and require four to 10 years for complete recovery”.

Well... that could prove inconvenient.

But apparently (according to here) if you're an individual all you need is the standard emergency kit. Hmm...

EDIT: And I'm not here to say that the 2012 theorists are right.

[Shivan Hunter]

in b4 "OH NO 2012 I'M A PARANOID MORON"

NASA has since rebutted those reports, saying it could come "100 years away or just 100 days", but an Australian astronomer says the space community is betting on the sooner scenario rather than the latter.

Probabilities please. I want data. FEED ME SCIENCE.

[Mongoose]

in b4 "OH NO 2012 I'M A PARANOID MORON"

Dammit

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Well solar max isn't really a date but part of a cycle.  Yea there is probably one nanosecond when it happens but that's like asking when a hurricane hit.  It's a slow buildup and slowdown.  20 year cycle I believe.  So if 2012 is the max we are already experiencing cat4 winds. 

[watsisname]

Re:  "The general consensus among general astronomers (and certainly solar astronomers) is that this coming Solar maximum (2012 but possibly later into 2013) will be the most violent in 100 years," astronomy lecturer and columnist Dave Reneke said."

The Space Environment Center disagrees.

[ssmit132]

I thought of something after I started the topic - what would happen if you had a solar panel on your house? Would it be rendered inoperable if the Solar Max is violent enough EDIT: as violent as said in the first article (as in, power-grid disabling)?

[karajorma]

I think by that point your solar panels would be the least of your worries.

[Flipside]

And then Nibiru will appear and the Annunaki will invade and Nancy Leider will be Empress of the Earth!!!

Seriously though, it's something we do need to be considering, but I don't really think there is cause for alarm in the long term. The biggest problem, as stated in the article is electronics equipment, seeing as we are far more reliant on it now than we were the last time storms were this strong. As to whether the impact will go so far as terrestrial objects I don't know, the last one certainly affected the telegraph service at the time, we will have to wait and see.

[IceFire]

I thought of something after I started the topic - what would happen if you had a solar panel on your house? Would it be rendered inoperable if the Solar Max is violent enough EDIT: as violent as said in the first article (as in, power-grid disabling)?

The panel... probably not.  The wires hooked up to it maybe ... if they were long enough.

Generally speaking I don't get how some people are talking about the solar maximum and a devastating solar storm like we had maybe a century ago and then on the other hand the researchers are saying that this solar cycle has been extremely uneventful.

[General Battuta]

at least it's not solar high max

[StarSlayer]

at least it's not solar high max

zing

[Flipside]

I thought of something after I started the topic - what would happen if you had a solar panel on your house? Would it be rendered inoperable if the Solar Max is violent enough EDIT: as violent as said in the first article (as in, power-grid disabling)?

The panel... probably not.  The wires hooked up to it maybe ... if they were long enough.

Generally speaking I don't get how some people are talking about the solar maximum and a devastating solar storm like we had maybe a century ago and then on the other hand the researchers are saying that this solar cycle has been extremely uneventful.

It's kind of like a Volcano, lots of little eruptions will take the force out of any large one, so a long, qiuet period for the Sun often means that when it does all kick off, it's a lot more violent than normal.

[Liberator]

Solar maximum occurs approximately every eleven years or so.  And yeah, if it's as bad as they say, then it will seriously **** up anything in orbit over time.