A likely solar storm in 2012, coinciding with the Olympics in London, could disrupt all communication systems on earth, including live broadcasting of the mega-sporting event, scientists have warned."The sun's activity has a strong influence on the earth. Space weather can affect the whole population. The Olympics could be bang in the middle of the next solar maximum which could affect the transmissions of satellites," said Professor Richard Harrison, head of space physics at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.
The warning comes in the wake of scientists detecting the signs of a fresh cycle of sunspots on the sun's surface that could lead to a solar storm.
Harrison said: "The Sun is now waking up. The first significant active regions of a new solar activity cycle are forming. In the last two weeks, we have seen the first major flares of a new cycle".
The scientists warn that at the peak of the cycle, the flares erupting from the surface of the sun could fling billions of tonnes of electrically-charged matter towards the earth that could result in a communications blackout.
They predict that the cycle would be at its peak during 2012 when the Olympics are scheduled and fear that the ensuing solar storm could jam telecommunications satellites and internet links transmitting live coverage.
Sunspots are the physical manifestation of the Sun's natural fluctuations in magnetic activity which operate on a roughly 11-year cycle.
PTI
1 comments:
Aha, 2012 again, What else is predicted. Some say a giant solar flare will cause disruptions not only to communications but to power grids all over the northern hemisphere causing electric blackouts and distroying most if not all electronic circuitry causing an end to the electronic age and.....an end to the world as we know it. that's what some say. Your transisterized car ingition won't work anymore but your bicycle still will. By stock in candle manufactures.
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