http://www.metafilter.com/tags/sunstorm Posts tagged with 'sunstorm' at MetaFilter. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:31:13 -0800 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:31:13 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://www.metafilter.com/78045/A%2Dperfect%2Dspace%2Dstorm <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090107/sc_space/perfectspacestormcouldbecatastrophiconearthstudyconcludes">A perfect space storm</a>, which happens about every century, like the one that occurred in <a href="http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_031027.html">1859</a>, could cause "catastrophic social and economic disruptions", according to <a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12507">a new study by the National Academy of Sciences</a> on behalf of NASA. "Potable water distribution affected within several hours; perishable foods and medications lost in 12-24 hours; immediate or eventual loss of heating/air conditioning, sewage disposal, phone service, transportation, fuel resupply and so on," the report states. Outages could take months to fix, the researchers say. Banks might close, and trade with other countries might halt. The next peak in solar activity is expected around 2012. tag:metafilter.com,2009:site.78045 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:31:13 -0800 solarflare space spacestorm sun sunspot sunstorm stbalbach