Thread: Space weather expert has ominous forecast

There is an extended article on this in the May issue of Analog Science Fiction Science Fact.

It would seem to be a very significant risk, especially to power grids and communications. Consider how your life would be affected if major sections of the electricity grid, telephone and communications satellites were to become inoperative, not only over all Australia, but worldwide. It is likely that repairs could take months in some cases, due to a shortage of replacement parts (transformers and communications equipment, not to mention replacement satellites). Not to mention skilled people to install them.

How would you go with no power or frequent blackouts (and all the follow-ons from this), maybe for months, no or limited telephone, no internet, no GPS?

John

Hmmm ,
Meybe I better put a Lead Lining around the ECU on the Td5 !!

Originally Posted by goingbush

Hmmm ,
Meybe I better put a Lead Lining around the ECU on the Td5 !!

I would not bother - space weather won't affect it. Likely effects are to damage satellites, and damage anything attached to long conductors near the surface of the earth, such as power and telephone lines, by currents induced by changing magnetic fields. Direct radiation effects at the surface of the earth are very unlikely except in polar regions. Could be a problem flying at high altitude, but can be usually avoided by delaying flight or flying lower. Forecasts should be hours or days ahead.

John

Powerlines damaged, can't pump fuel at the bowser.

On your bike!

Originally Posted by isuzutoo-eh

Powerlines damaged, can't pump fuel at the bowser.

On your bike!

nahh, just drop the vege oil transfer pump onto the fill port of the underground tank, turn on the 12v and fill up like nothings going wrong...

obviously someones not prepared for the zombie apocalypse

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Likely effects are to damage satellites, and damage anything attached to long conductors near the surface of the earth, such as power and telephone lines
John

OMG. No more phones, email, spam, telemarketers. The quality of my life would improve dramatically...and I would really enjoy driving by all the immobile modern cars with their fried computers in my 300tdi.

Originally Posted by ugu80

OMG. No more phones, email, spam, telemarketers. The quality of my life would improve dramatically...and I would really enjoy driving by all the immobile modern cars with their fried computers in my 300tdi.

It is not going to affect computers in cars. And as mark points out, your 300tdi is going to be disadvantaged just as much as any other vehicle if the powerlines stop providing power to the bowsers. And you may have rather more important concerns, such as if your water supply depends on electricity, or whether your supermarket delivery vehicles have any fuel!

The most serious problem likely to occur is the destruction of high voltage transformers by excess current induced in power lines by changing magnetic fields. These transformers rarely have spares to hand and are in any case a major job to replace. Power grids have varying levels of protection against this sort of problem - protection meaning the grid shuts off when a problem is detected, but before any serious damage. One such shutdown may cause the grid over a wide area to fail almost immediately, and resuming power could take many hours, even if there is no damage.

John

Originally Posted by ugu80

OMG. No more phones, email, spam, telemarketers. The quality of my life would improve dramatically...and I would really enjoy driving by all the immobile modern cars with their fried computers in my 300tdi.

No more phones (good thing),
email (good thing),
spam (good thing),
telemarketers (no one to be rude to)

Bring it on!