As the Solar Orbiter approached, it imaged a rippling line propagating a long path across the surface of the Sun. Solar scientists say this is a cooler tube of plasma in the surrounding hot plasma of the Sun's atmosphere, bound by solar magnetic fields.
Shortly after the filament carved its path across the Sun, its starting point erupted in a coronal mass ejection, sending plasma blasting out into space.
The sun is advancing into a more active phase. It'll be interesting to see what effect that has on the Earth and its weather.
I am more afraid of a direct hit on earth of a coronal mass ejection. That would most likely generate a significat EMP event that could send us back to the late 1800s technologically.
ReplyDeleteThat would, ironically, be great for elections. People??? Eh...they've ruined the Earth.
DeleteAnother Carrington Event. It would take decades to rebuild the electrical grid.
DeleteIIRC, a CME doesn't blanket the world, but only affects areas with a direct hit. So, just a single continent might be toast. Just like a nuclear hit, but natural.
DeleteWhy does that sound like a good thing about now?
ReplyDelete"Why does that sound like a good thing about now?"
DeleteBecause it is easy to presume that you and yours would be among the survivors.
Years ago, we did the touristy thing and visited Williamsburg, VA. If that's too far for you, I imagine lots have visited their local Renaissance Festival. I found Williamsburg very interesting and the Renaissance Festivals are fun. But the thing is that these events display a Disney-fied version of earlier life. Yeah, you get to see a blacksmith hammering out tools on an anvil, but do you get to see the health affects of living your employment life near a coal-fired oven? Do you have to sleep in a barely-insulated house heated with the fireplace? Does a trek across the street mean that you have to watch out for the manure that your horses and cows leave behind?
Modern life has it's drawbacks, but life after another Carrington Event wouldn't be a walk in the park.
azlibertarian
Obviously global warming. Or the next ice age. What ever makes them the most money.
ReplyDeleteAll caused by climate change of course.
ReplyDeleteThe difference is what is being done now with food and energy shortages is deliberate.
ReplyDelete