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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: Simon on April 10, 2011, 11:44

Title: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: Simon on April 10, 2011, 11:44
The Government isn't prepared to face the potential disruption from solar flares taking out power and communication networks, according to academics looking into the threat.

Electricity and communications networks would be at a significant risk from a major solar event, according to a recent symposium attended by international scientists, industry representatives and Government.

“No-one really knows what would happen, but we need to be prepared, and the industry would like some sort of early warning system,” said Jim Wild from the department of physics at Lancaster University.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/366649/uk-needs-early-warning-system-for-solar-flares
Title: Re: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: Clive on April 10, 2011, 12:21
It's good to know that the government has woken up to the damage solar flares can cause. To be fair, NASA already has the STEREO early warning system in place and it's doing a very good job.  STEREO (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/stereo/main/index.html)
Title: Re: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: Rodders on April 10, 2011, 14:17
With the shift towards an electronically-dependant world becoming increasingly irreversible, I do sometimes wonder whether civilisation has a backup.
Title: Re: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: GillE on April 10, 2011, 14:49
Will GPS be replaced by CPS - Carrier Pigeon Shuttle?
Title: Re: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: sam on April 10, 2011, 14:57
Quote from: Clive on April 10, 2011, 12:21
It's good to know that the government has woken up to the damage solar flares can cause. To be fair, NASA already has the STEREO early warning system in place and it's doing a very good job.  STEREO (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/stereo/main/index.html)

Not just NASA - those cameras were built in Brum.

Nice article on this: http://www.birminghamsciencecity.co.uk/news/seeing-the-sun-from-all-angles/
Title: Re: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: sam on April 10, 2011, 14:58
as long as we turn of the satellites and bring them back up afterwards the effects on gps should be small, more worrying really is the power grid.
Title: Re: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: Clive on April 10, 2011, 18:33
Quote from: sam on April 10, 2011, 14:57
Not just NASA - those cameras were built in Brum.


That's even better news!  :thumbs:
Title: Re: UK needs "early warning system" for solar flares
Post by: sam on April 10, 2011, 23:11
I remember walking past the lab seeing them being built in the "clean" room. Wasn't very clean when they moved it... lots of fun arsing around in a secure room.