2007-05-31 10:07:47 · 9 answers · asked by adictedto24 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's true that in five years there MIGHT be a solar flare large enough to cause serious problems for the whole world (the US doesn't have a monopoly on electrical blackouts), but it is not true to say that there definitely will be one. At the moment we can't even predict solar flares occurrence and intensity day to day, beyond educated guesses and probability forecasts) never mind five years ahead of time.
2007-05-31 10:14:54 · answer #1 · answered by Jason T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Doubt it. It may be a period of increased solar flare activity (not sure yes or no), but that doesn't mean a specific solar flare will hit earth - they're unpredictable as individual events, and even if there was a giant solar flare at that time, the odds are that it would be pointed in some direction other than earth.
From what I understand, satellite communication is the most vulnerable technology when it comes to solar flares - I doubt it would knock out the power...
2007-05-31 10:14:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anthony J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody can predict solar flares. And I doubt any flare would be large enough to completely bring down the entire electricity grid. But it is true that today's extremely large electricity grid is effected more by geomagnetic storms, which are caused by solar activity. A power line acts like a radio antenna. The longer the wire, the more radio energy it can pick up. Today's grids have many thousands of miles of lines. And it is true that solar activity increases and decreases in pretty regular cycles of about 11 years each. And it is true that the next cycle is expected to peak in about 5 years. A large solar flare can cause an unusual amount of natural radio energy to hit the Earth, possibly being picked up by the antenna like grid and causing an overload of power and tripping breakers. But the idea that we know for sure that one single flare will happen in 5 years and it will be big enough to cause a geomagnetic disturbance powerful enough to bring down all the large power grids is just wrong.
2007-05-31 10:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As of today there is no way to predict solar flares 100% There are times that the sun has more activity than others, but there is definetly no way to perdict a flare 5 years from now, so the answer is NO
2007-05-31 10:15:42 · answer #4 · answered by Sam K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very large power grid networks will be more vulnerable than the smaller ones. Early 1990's Canada has been hit by such fireflare and electricity shut down only in the province with the largest network (Quebec). So even if it happen again, I am not sure it will affect high density population zones.
2007-05-31 11:24:06 · answer #5 · answered by Jedi squirrels 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about that but Maybe this little story will make you feel better!!! Back in the 1970's GLOBAL COOLING Was Causing the Polar Ice Pak to Steadily Over take Canada and was headed straight for MIAMI FLORIDA!!! But the Inventor of the Internet "AL GORE!!!" Stepped up and Saved the Day... maybe, just maybe he'll come out of hidding and do it again.... All bow to Big Al!!!
2007-05-31 10:18:23 · answer #6 · answered by Scott 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to my understanding of the future, no.
One big event could still happen around december 2033...
A sort of ice age indeed...
2007-05-31 10:33:49 · answer #7 · answered by Roy Nicolas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes! save batteries now .. it'll take 17 months to get the power back on
2007-05-31 10:14:13 · answer #8 · answered by space-rocks! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll get back to you in five years.
2007-05-31 10:54:02 · answer #9 · answered by Last Man Standing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋