"space weather now" web page

[davidh]

http://www.sec.noaa.gov/SWN/

includes aurora borealis map, etc.

[Judy G. Russell]

Hmmm... and what do you wear in a solar storm? A solar coat?

[davidh]

Hmmm... and what do you wear in a solar storm? A solar coat?

How about: Unplug your computer and put a grounded aluminum foil umbrella over it? OTOH perhaps ordinary surge protectors on power and modem would be enuf ?

The following article attempts to estimate the economic losses from a year-1859-magnitude solar storm's impact on satellite systems:

http://space.com/scienceastronomy/060502_solar_storm.html

However, it does not seem to discuss losses from damage to electrical power distribution grids. So I assume that perhaps the author(s) left that subject for somebody else to estimate.

According to what I've read, effects on people and other biological organisms might be negligible. Perhaps it might temporarily confuse animals that use the earth's magnetic field for navigation (in addition to perhaps damaging some GPS satellites).

Judging from the fact that we have managed to cause some large blackouts in the USA, WITHOUT SOLAR STORMS, I assume that the potential for large blackouts is significant. Fortunately there would probably be at least several hours warning, so at least SOME precautions could be taken.

David H.

[Judy G. Russell]

Odenwald projects billions of dollars of lost GEO satellite profit during an 1859-caliber superstorm.YIKES! I tend to think of solar storms in terms of causing better than usual northern lights, but I guess it's a lot more serious than that!