Solar Storm Cycle Begins Again in 2008 - Be Forewarned

Now might be a good time to start backing up your computer files and planning for the very slight possibility of a solar storm-related power outage. According to the NOAA, a new cycle of solar storms will begin in the spring of 2008. During solar storms, huge eruptions occur with greater frequency on the sun. The impact of that down here on earth varies depending on a solar storm's intensity.

Solar flares can send intense jolts of supercharged particles towards earth, disrupting the geomagnetic field. Intense solar flares can disrupt navigation systems ( including Global Positioning Systems) and power grids. In fact, as recently as 1989, such a flare completely knocked out power in Quebec Canada.

Satellites can be knocked completely off course, electronics in spacecraft can be destroyed. Solar storms can also cause electronics on earth to short-circuit if the blast from a solar flare is strong enough.

Scientists have long been interested in the effects of solar storms, and we should try to be prepared for any power outages that could occur with this new cycle. There is no need for panic, however. Normally, our atmosphere and magnetic field protects us from the more harmful effects of solar eruptions, including most of the radiation. There is no need to pull out your cold-war era radiation suit just yet.

Astronauts in space are not so lucky. There have been a number of close calls for astronauts who barely missed exposure to extreme amounts of radiation from a solar flare.

Solar storms do not seem to have a large impact on earth's weather patterns. There was once speculation that the likelihood of earthquakes may increase during solar storms, but that has remained unproven.

Despite the many problems that solar storms can cause, they do, at least, bring entertainment value-- the Aurora Borealis is brilliant and extra colorful during extreme solar storm activity.

The increase in technological devices means that we may start to notice disruptive effects of solar storms--much more so than we have in the past. The cycle (they last about 11 years) that may start next year is not supposed to be a bad one, though. The solar weather cycle is expected to peak in 2012--that is when we are more likely to have issues with electronic systems.

It is always best to be prepared. Just ask the people in Quebec, who received a most unpleasant surprise that day in 1989. And that isn't the only time solar flares were strong enough to cause power outages on earth--but it was the worst outage in recent years caused by a solar flare.