Nah, that's already been done to death. Once 2012 is over, and life is still moving ahead, everyone will be scrambling for the next "end of the world". So, I'm going to be proactive. I'm calling dibs on 2013 really being the end of the world, maybe around March 2013.

OK- Nasa predicted a massive solar storm in 2006 for around this time. The last super-storm was in 1859 and it burned telegraph lines- about the only technology using electricity at the time.

From wikipedia:

On September 1–2, 1859, the largest recorded geomagnetic storm occurred. Aurorae were seen around the world, most notably over the Caribbean; also noteworthy were those over the Rocky Mountains that were so bright that their glow awoke gold miners, who began preparing breakfast because they thought it was morning.^[4] According to professor Daniel Baker of the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, "people in the northeastern U.S. could read newspaper print just from the light of the aurora."^[5]

Telegraph systems all over Europe and North America failed, in some cases even shocking telegraph operators.^[6] Telegraph pylons threw sparks and telegraph paper spontaneously caught fire.^[7] Some telegraph systems appeared to continue to send and receive messages despite having been disconnected from their power supplies.^[8]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859

An event like this today would devastate our electric/electronic world.

So call it BS if you wish but it just makes you scientifically unaware of the possibilities, ignoring all evidence of just how serious this could be.

Should the guys start placing tin foil hats over their family jewels?

Suster011 is correct. If another Carrington Super Flare were to happen today, the consequences would be tragic. Estimates are that these happen about every 500 years, but there isn't enough date to give that any solid evidence to state that definitively. It's just one of those, we just don't know situations.

its the end ....one soul at a time.. excrpt sundays... hot dogs beer and football...

the sun sets off a gas that kills all the ghost and zombies ...gonna be a good year ...yahooo

We have a dying sun, as most scientist know. Not in our lifetimes, but in a cosmic sense, it is a dying star. So, these eruptions will continue and we need to learn how, if possible, to protect our electronic world.

"We have a dying sun, as most scientist know. Not in our lifetimes, but in a cosmic sense, it is a dying star."

The Sun has another 4.5 billion years or so to go, so we're OK for a good while.

The Sun has another 4.5 billion years or so to go, so we're OK for a good while.

Which means the Sun is in it's prime since it's only midway through it's life. :-)

Mitchell

Man, I'd better get my life insurance paid up!

I saw the northern lights once, back in the late eighties, I think. The odd thing about that is that I live in central Texas. Man, I should have realised that it could have been the end of the world? I have a funny story about the end of the world that I some times tell, my grandfather was a funny man.

What? No global warming comments about this? I'm disappointed. Oh wait, that's right, The massive nuclear furnace blasting energized particles at earth couldn't possibly have anything to do with it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I knew my Y2K kit would come in handy one day.

If I thought I could do something about it.........about it, not with it.

We are making at least some progress in this regard and ignoring that nutter preacher who's predicted the end of the world twice now and been wrong both times.

Grocery Stores have back up generators. Just sayin.

Actually, the electrical grid could be down for years. Given the scope of what's possible in such a situation, 3 months is kind of a best-case scenario.

brutisbear2012 I am an Astronomer, and what you are saying about the cycles and December 21st 2012 is just completely inaccurate. You have been misinformed by hoaxes. I good place to start to learn about the truth of the date would be to just google NASA 2012 and read the FAQs. I feel bad for those that are deceived by these hoaxes.

The Carrington event in 1859 was by all indications far more significant than these M class events we are seeing now, however they shouldn't be totally disregarded. Here's a couple interesting links on the topic:

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2008/06may_carringtonflare/

http://factoidz.com/could-another-carrington-event-destroy-our-economy/

History, what little we truly have, would suggest that an event as big as in 1859 is probably a one in 500 year event, but that's mainly speculation. There have been observed cycles of solar activity, but exactly why isn't completely clear. There are cycles of varying periods happening concurrently. It may be related to pole reversals on the Sun, and other possible scenarios that have been theorized. And even some suggest gravitational forces of the planets. That's the theories related to alignment of the planets. Chances are, each theory may in fact have some validity.

Generally speaking, there are rises in activity followed by declines. Solar storms seem to feed on themselves and grow in intensity once started until they peak and eventually drop off. It is often called solar weather as the way they build, rise and fall, seem a lot like weather patterns.

Observations made during the time of the Carrington event display this building of activity and intensity. What is interesting about that event is how radically fast the intensity built. In mere minutes, it went from strong activity to enormously strong activity which then quickly subsided. All this happened while Carrington was making his observations. The radical change occurred across about 5 minutes. What caused the "normal" strong activity to build quickly into a "superflare" is not known or understood.

If there is something to be concerned about regarding this is that these superflares are not really likely to be a cycle of some sort, but more likely they occur based on probability. To say that they occur every 500 years would be incorrect. But the probability of once in 500 years seems reasonable based on the data. But two events within a 1000 year period, don't necessarily occur 500 years apart. This means that they could occur just about anytime that solar activity is strong, but the odds or probability are what we are talking about when we say once in 500 years. They could potentially happen within a much shorter period of time.

Don't worry. The SUN is too big to fail. The gov will bail it out.

"Some telegraph systems appeared to continue to send and receive messages despite having been disconnected from their power supplies.^[8]"

^wifi.

^{Too bad we are not storing/using this energy some how, or can we ...are we ? (we=humans)}

Here I thought the "Red energy cloud" was the extreme far right movement evident in the Republican primary campaigns!

Simple stuff. The governments job is to tell us not to worry. But the truth is they don't know everything. And they do know things they don't want you to know. But for most it is easier just to trust the government to tell us the truth. Isn't going to happen. If a real danger was there they would be sure to protect them self's and not cause panic in the streets. Now the truth is no one knows what to expect. And of course as this part of the sun is more exposed we may have even bigger solar storms to worry about. One thing we need to do is prepare for a 3 weeks to 3 months. I only wish I had listen sooner to the warnings to prepare.

I herd dis will disemagnatise my ebt card?

OMG, The end is near. Just drink the Kool-aid now and everything will be clear. ; ) Insert sarcasm here...

brutisbear2012, I can only say the 2013 earth will be a much better place without you.

Gwad! Could it affect the function of commodes? I'll just bet I'm sh^t out of luck! If my commode lets me down!!!!?.................... What will I do?...........Ummmmmmmmmmm!!!!

The next apocalypse date from those losers is 2024. Just wait for it...

I know it's all true because my Geophysical Diametric Energy Absorbing Pumpkin Processor stopped working today. It was tragic to say the least.

all gonna die anyway...

I didn't play into the whole 2012 end of the world thing so much. . . Until I found out they are making a zombie romance movie. (Which is based on a book of the same name, Warm Bodies)

Fun fact: The Movie deal happened before the book was published. . .

The leading cause of death is birth............

an abortion will fix that =)

Great line from a Great Movie, Chemack. HOWEVER (and you know there had to be one) the word should have been count-ETH (not est). Just a note for future use reference.

Dude, I am peeing my pants here!!!! ROFLMAO!

Where's Tim when you need him?

...And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, "O LORD, bless this Thy hand grenade that with it Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits, in Thy mercy." And the LORD did grin and the people did feast upon the lambs and sloths andcarp and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast cereals, and fruit bats and large chu... [At this point, the friar is urged by Brother Maynard to "skip a bit, brother"]... And the LORD spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin, then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."^[1]

Solar Flares and Killer Rabits? Eh, close enought, LOL!!!

WHAT???????????

I came to the comments expecting to see some 2012 doomsday stuff and instead was unexpectedly treated to a line from one of my favorite movies. You sir have made my day. Now I must be off so that I may find a shrubbery.

Friggin' hilarious!

Nee!

LMAOOOO!!! Thanks for the unexpected treat.

Watch out for the Killer Rabbit, everyone!

NEE!!!!!

when does the spanking party begin? And are coconuts migratory?

The first time I heard that segment I was literally rofl. MP and the Holy Grail has to be one of the best MP movies ever.

"

He's got a MEAN streak A MILE WIDE"

New has NO aura. That's because he has no personality, no intelligence, no brain...and he can't keep his pants on when women are around, either!

"The ability to speak does not necessarily indicate intelligence" Star Wars Vol. 1

He does spell his name correctly. He has to be smarter than you. And he didn't leave any cigars around

He does spell his name correctly. He has to be smarter than you. And he didn't leave any cigars around

smh. . .

How do you know he spelled his name wrong? Arrogance is your aura.

Not as bad as seeing Uranus.

Ya, that's kinda interesting isn't it, that we puny homo-sapiens can make enough of a concerted effort to foul our nest and make climate change in the face of natural forces. Should make you proud.

Um...Volcanoes have nothing to do with a warming climate. In fact most volcanic explosions cause a cooling effect. Also regardless of why the earth warms or cools mocking those who believe it is mankinds fault wont stop sea levels from rising or any of the other consequences from happening. I trust when the climate changes you are not so naive as to sit there and say "hey I told you this wasn't our fault" as you drown from sea level change or drought. I too am not entirely convinced we are the sole culprits but the fact remains the Earth is warming.

Pad: You are correct. My point is that we have MASSIVE natural events but nobody speaks about THOSE causing warming and cooling trends - do they? The earth has been warming and cooling for centuries but yet THOSE warming and cooling trends can't be because we drive SUV's because they weren't around.

In the last 100 years we have had SIX distinct changes of opinions of "scientists". First warming trend and all the ice is going to melt. Then the next "ice age" is on its way. But then it warms and we must be approaching a warming trend. Then it gets cool again. Then Al Gore says it is getting warmer and our kids will never see snow and Florida will be under water. But then it starts getting COLDER again?!?!? What to do? Solution? To tell unsuspecting individuals the warming trend is (wait for it - this is the COOL part:)!!) causing a temporary cooling trend that could last 20 years but boy when THAT stops THEN the warming trend will accelerate and we will all be doomed in 20 more years.

If we could ONLY get people to stop driving their SUV's!! If we could ONLY get the oil drilling stopped!! THEN we can save this planet. It is SO important!! But then the sun shoots out ANOTHER massive solar flame that dwarfs this "human caused" nonsense!!

Yep, just like that so called pollutant carbon dioxide (aka:CO2) has a cooling effect. The earth is warming because of ALL of those windbags in Washington, full of hot air. ;)

Nobody ever said Co2 was a pollutant. The global concern is that Co2 and temperature are directly related, ie when the level of Co2 goes up in our atmosphere, so does the temperature, and vice versa. Co2 levels have increased to the highest they have ever been in recorded history, and continue to climb. The implications for humankind with regard to temperature are very serious. This is a scientific fact.

Scientists DO account for all known effects, including volcanoes and the sun. However, those effects can only explain a small amount of the temperature changes since the 1970s. And, it simply isn't true that it's getting colder again (on average), aside from some minor year-to-year variations due to the El Nino/La Nina cycle. This was analyzed in detail last year in a published research paper, and the underlying warming trend due to greenhouse gases is still about 0.16 deg C per decade.

The best ones I've ever seen were at a Grateful Dead show in the late 70's.

Lamb of God fan??? Awesome......

@indy

Why yes, yes I am. Love them. I'm and aging MetalHead, at early-40's I'm a little bit older than the average LoG fan. They pretty much saved the metal format from the brink, they are much more tru-metal than nu-metal IMHO. "A letter to the unborn" <- I have never heard a metal song in which you can the vocals tearing through with the true actual emotion behind it's inspiration. Metal is Forever!!!

Oh brother - - what a silly comment.........

We only have 70 mph speed limits and our trucks get better gas mileage than most of your SUV's. Not starting anything just setting the facts.

hey, can I borrow someones oversized diesel truck so I can find the 85 mph speed limits....I only have a gas 4 door car and clearly those speed limits are no where close to Dallas.

He said on a comment page on the internet via his computer.

Seriously... "genetic right to survive"???

Might I suggest you read the book, "One Second After". You might change your mind about wanting to see all electronics fried and trying to live off the land. People who make comments like you do just don't get how
un-adaptable we have become.

I read that book, ragtopz....cetainly put alot of things into perspective, and gave me loads to think about. I have passed the copy around to all my friends....(have a hard time getting it back, LOL) Folks are alot more motivated to take care of themselves.....and they should be.

One Second After is a book written by William R. Forstchen. It is about a small town and how it struggles to survive after an EMP throws out power in the USA. The story is of course, fictional, but the book is based on scientific principle and probability. Concider it a reference book...

Thanks, ragtopz, for introducing this one to the group..good call.

I do not lke that "genetic" right comment. It is more a basic survival of the fittest. There is also the survival of the smartest.

Having a good supply room of basic groceries and over-the-counter drugs & pain killers to get yourself by is smart. Having a good water supply, or filters for not-so-good water is smart. Batteries, hand-crank radios & flashlights is smart. Yes, a gun is smart. So is plywood to secure your windows so you can hunker-down and just stay put is smart. Looking around for supplies after the disaster is NOT smart.

You cannot chew on gold. I will not be giving any of my supplies up to get your gold either. So some of that gold would be more valuable if traded NOW for peanut butter, dried fruit and survival foods.

Yup, survival of the smartest.

I'm with you RCD. We have meddled too far into medicine and the like. This planet was not meant to sustain perpetual species growth of the human race! & to the gentelmen giving the suggested reading of one second after - please keep in mind that in order to advance a species the natural selection of genes must be allowed to take place. For instance, if man kind was not around to breed chickens for their breast meat only; we wouldn't have entire super agro business with chicken houses full of birds that can't walk let alone fly! An intelligent species must realize that their hands on approach does no good at a certain point. We are past that point!

Serious question....Does wrapping a cell phone or pc in tin foil help? Spare me the hat comments...I really want to know!

The last "big" solar flare (2005) fried all of the remaining pagers from the 90's! Pretty cool! I don't think anything will even get noticed with this "event" today.

I thought that was what Surge-Protectors were for...If I get home and my s*%t blown, I'll be piss#d.

It's Mayas not Mayans,,,

I didn't play into the whole 2012 end of the world thing so much. . . Until I found out they are making a zombie romance movie. (Which is based on a book of the same name, Warm Bodies)

Fun fact: The Movie deal happened before the book was published. . .

Good call, Warren...My husband and I outfitted our vehicles with grounding strips. Don't want to get stranded, you know.

Uh..so I guess you don't believe in coincidence?

And Ben Wallace signed with the Bulls thirteen months after that storm.

Coincidence? You decide.

Hurricane season starts way after April. Just saying.

Just have your Glenn Beck survival kit handy.

Tin foil hat, duck tape, and plastic sheets

Hide in your treehouse. It's the only real safe place.

It will come from all directions.

Prayer might help your mind if nothing else.

Get into a good room with no windows, get a good chair, sit down and put your head between your legs...and kiss your donkey good by.

The Sun God is angry, he will find you at your front door.