Could Solar Storms Destroy our Civilization?

CME, coronal mass ejection, Prepper

A massive eruption of solar material, known as a coronal mass ejection or CME, was detected escaping from the sun at 11:36 p.m. EDT on March 12, 2023.

Check out the devastating effects of a CMR from minute 3:10 onward in the video above

Sightings of polar lights far into the middle latitudes, for example in Arizona in the USA or in Germany, show that the sun is sending electrically charged particles and radiation towards the earth more frequently again.

These images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory show the difference between the last sunspot minimum (left, 2019) and the last sunspot maximum (right, 2014).

Dark spots on the star’s surface are signs of its activity—they emanate the solar storms that produce the auroras. Since the last spot minimum in December 2019, solar activity has increased much faster than most scientists expected.

What can happen if you underestimate this development was shown last year when the American aerospace company SpaceX lost 40 satellites in one fell swoop: The earth’s atmosphere had expanded due to a solar storm – as a result, the air resistance for the satellites became so great that they crashed.

A weak solar cycle has been predicted – but they got it wrong!

The sun reaches its peak number of spots approximately every eleven years. But the duration of the cycles fluctuates, as does the maximum activity achieved.

A large research group has sought and found a consensus for the joint prognosis: According to this consensus prognosis – prepared in the USA by the space agency Nasa and the climate agency NOAA – the 25th solar cycle should be as weak as the 24th cycle, which is the weakest in a hundred years was. Some scientists even spoke of a possible repetition of the so-called Dalton Minimum, which was a phase of reduced activity between 1790 and 1830.

But nothing will come of it. Images of the sun reveal: it is already behaving as wildly as it should, according to the forecast, only during the maximum in about two years.

But a few researchers got it pretty much right so far. A team led by astrophysicists Scott McIntosh from the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Robert Leamon from NASA has predicted the sharp rise in solar activity.

Unfortunately – how the sun’s dynamo works is unclear

Predicting the solar cycle is still a challenging task for scientists. “We don’t understand the sun well enough,” admits astronomer Sami Solanki from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen, Germany.

The sun is made up of electrically charged gases called plasma. By rotating, these gases create a magnetic field, similar to a dynamo on a bicycle. According to Solanki, scientists are not yet in agreement on exactly how the solar dynamo works. “There is no generally accepted model,” he says. But you would have to have that to predict the sunspot cycle. Because the cycle is related to changes in the magnetic field – the spots are areas where the magnetic field is particularly strong.

The sun’s magnetic field could be the key

McIntosh and Leamon use different information for their prediction. According to these researchers, the behavior of the solar magnetic field at the sun’s equator can be used to predict what the next cycle will be like.
Basically, the sunspots form in two strip-like areas with a strong magnetic field. These areas appear in both hemispheres at the 50th degree of latitude. At first they seem quite inconspicuous and slowly migrate towards the solar equator. In the further course, the sunspots then appear on the strips.

The CME that was captured by STEREO in July 2012 was comparable in strength to the one that is believed to have struck Earth during the 1859 Carrington Event. — The release is quite dramatic – the research suggests a “solar tsunami” of plasma is let loose, travelling back away from the equator at around 300 metres (or 984 feet) per second

The whole migration of such an area takes 22 years on average. Because the lifetimes of two consecutive stripes overlap by 11 years, four exist at the same time – two on each side of the equator.

According to McIntosh, the decisive factor is what happens when two magnetic field strips reach the equator and disappear at the end of their lifetime. That triggers a kind of tsunami on the sun, he says. The first sunspots then begin to sprout in the two younger strips, which are at around the 25th parallel at the time.

McIntosh calls this point in time – when two stripes are extinguished and two become active – “Terminator“. The exact dating provides the crucial information for his prognosis: the less time has elapsed between the last two “Terminator” events, the stronger the next sunspot cycle should be.

The peak is expected to occur in 2024 or 2025

The last two “Terminator” events were observed in 2011 and 2021. The gap was therefore 10 years, one year less than the average. On this basis, the team around McIntosh and Leamon calculated that the 25th solar cycle will reach a maximum number of spots of about 184. According to the NASA/NOAA consensus forecast, there should have been only about 115 spots, but that level has long since been reached.
McIntosh and Leamon also predict that the current solar cycle will peak in 2024 or 2025. Then there would be even more solar storms than during the initial phase. Accordingly, all solar researchers are now following the further development of the activity with great interest.

This image shows the Sun’s activity on October 1, 2015, towards the end of the last maximum activity. The next maximum, 2024 or 2025, could massively stronger.

We’re in for a bumpy ride!

The 25th solar cycle is not only a test of how well scientists can predict the behavior of the central star. It could also become an involuntary test of the robustness of human civilization.

The weak solar activity in recent years has given humanity a little reassurance. The last really strong cycle happened more than 30 years ago. No one can say for sure how the infrastructure that has since been created will react to violent solar storms. In addition to satellites, power supply and telecommunications are among the endangered areas of technology.

The sun is expected to reach its solar maximum as part of its regular 11-year cycle in 2025. The next termination event is expected to occur when Solar Cycle 25 gives way to Solar Cycle 26 in around 2030.

«2024 and 2024 could be a bumpy ride …” says McIntosh.

All the more reason to prepare and get your Faraday Cage ready to protect essential electronic equipment and communication devices like mobile phones, ham radios, solar battery packs, spare laptops and charging devices. To rely on any Government wherever you live to have robust protection measures in place is to leave things to bureaucrats in their ivory towers.

You owe it to yourself and your family to take responsibility for this yourself and ensure your vital communication devices continue to function after a Solar Flare or CME.

The Next Devastating Solar Storm Is Sure To Come !

CME, coronal mass ejection

Solar flares can have much more serious consequences than our technological world has experienced so far.

Because the threat of a CME is very real and can have devastating effects on humanity, I’m going to get a bit geeky here and di deeper into the science of it for you, so you have a better understanding why this occurs and why as Preppers we need to put measures in place to protect our electronic equipment from the effects of a CME.

This video shows the Sept. 10, 2017, X8.2-class solar flare as observed by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. The video shows a blend of light from the 171- and 304-angstrom wavelengths.

In early September 2017, residents of the Caribbean began to recover from Hurricane Irma. Then there was a serious incident: solar storms triggered radio interference and thus hampered the rescue work. Luckily, the strongest solar particle showers shot past Earth, otherwise it would have otherwise been a much bigger catastrophic damage.

The Caribbean episode is a cautionary tale about an often-underestimated natural hazard – CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejection) and solar flares. Wherever you look and whatever latest studies you research – our civilization is inadequately prepared for the particularly devastating consequences of solar flares. At least scientists can assess the danger: in recent years they have determined more and more precisely how often solar flares occur and how strong they can be at most.

How do Solar Flares occur?

Outbreaks of the sun occur when the field lines of the solar magnetic field emanating from sunspots suddenly shift. Then the central star throws huge amounts of plasma into space. After such coronal mass ejections, high-energy radiation and particle clouds occasionally reach the earth. They can cause powerful auroras in the ionosphere. After particularly strong outbreaks, the colored glow can be admired not only in high latitudes, but even in the tropics.

Solar Flares Threaten Our Electronics

However, the northern lights are just a harmless side effect. Powerful solar flares can cause enormous damage on and above the earth. The danger comes not only from the high-energy particles, but also from the deformation of the earth’s magnetic field: In extreme cases, solar storms disable our satellites and paralyze electronic communication and navigation systems. In addition, currents induced by the shifting magnetic field can burn out transformers, causing power grids to collapse.

Estimates put the global cost potentially into the trillions of dollars.

In recent decades, solar flares have been tracked with telescopes and sensors on Earth, as well as instruments onboard satellites. In 1956 the most intense solar storm that could be directly observed occurred. The most powerful event in the scientific age is the so-called Carrington Event in 1859, named after the British astronomer Richard Carrington. The induced current was so strong that in some places, telegraphs continued to run without batteries. However, scientists doubt that the maximum possible intensity for solar storms was reached at that time. The strongest storms are yet to come.

The number of solar flares varies with the 11-year sunspot cycle. When the number of sunspots is at its maximum, about 20 times as many eruptions are observed as during a minimum of activity. However, the historical record of fluctuating solar activity does not provide quantifiable information about how powerful past solar flares were. How can we measure this? Isotope analysis can help.

We find Isotope traces in ice, trees and corals

When the high-energy particles from the sun reach the earth, changes occur in the characteristic isotopes: If scientists later find an increased concentration of carbon-14, beryllium-10 and chlorine-36 in ice cores, tree rings and corals, these are indications of former solar flares. Historical reports of low-latitude aurorae, particularly from European and East Asian sources, can be used for confirmation. However, their usefulness is limited. Aurora visibility depends on many factors unrelated to solar activity, such as the weather and regional shifts in the Earth’s magnetic field.

The strongest solar outburst effecting earth happened in 774

The strongest outlier of the characteristic isotopes can be found in the year 774. According to different estimates, this event was 5 to 50 times stronger than the solar storm of 1956. No more violent solar particle showers have been found for the last 11 000 years. Space physicist Ilya Usoskin of the University of Oulu in Finland considers the event of 774 to be a worst-case scenario in the Holocene and estimates the average return time at 6500 years. However, the uncertainty is great: the actual value is probably between 4,000 and 15,000 years. In order to be able to determine the frequency of the worst case more precisely, it would be good to know other events in the more distant past. However, what is currently missing are high-precision measurements of the isotope carbon-14 in natural archives with annual resolution.

A solar storm as extreme as 774 would not only pose a threat to space travel, power supplies, communications, navigation and traffic. It would also potentially weaken the ozone layer for a year – and thereby change the weather. This was reported by a team led by Usoskin and Timofei Sukhodolov from the Davos Physical Meteorological Observatory. According to this study, that solar storm in January 775 reduced the temperature in Europe by up to three degrees Celsius.

What about recent speculations about «SUPERFLARES»?

In recent years there have been speculations that the sun is capable of even more violent eruptions than 774. The triggers were observations with NASA’s “Kepler” space telescope. Astrophysicists observed so-called superflares in sun-like stars. These flares are several times more powerful than the 774 event. Assuming that the Sun can indeed produce superflares, Harvard University’s Manasvi Lingam and Abraham Loeb recently played through possible consequences . Accordingly, the world economy would then collapse; in extreme cases, the costs of the disaster could exceed global gross domestic product.

The sun’s activity cycle is currently approaching its next minimum. Some researchers speculate that the sunspots could take a longer break. However, it is more likely that solar activity will increase again in a few years – and with it the risk of solar storms.

How Can We Protect Our Vulnerable Civilization?

We are not at the mercy of these dangers from space. Short-term warnings can be issued thanks to space probes near the sun. But that doesn’t save a lot of time. Concrete predictions of how a solar storm will affect the earth can often only be made hours or minutes before it arrives. Part of our vital infrastructure can be switched off in good time. But it is better to make the infrastructure more resistant to solar particle showers. Because unlike in earlier centuries, today’s civilization with its numerous electrical and electronic devices is extremely vulnerable to solar storms.

The “National Space Weather Strategy” has been researching this for years and is planning measures. Several European countries are also preparing for extreme solar storms. In addition, international cooperation was strengthened. The latest knowledge about the frequency and intensity of solar flares suggests that the time until the next solar maximum should not be wasted. The probability of something like the Carrington event repeating itself in the next ten years is estimated at around ten percent .

Whether the region you currently live in would also be affected depends on the temporal and spatial characteristics of the solar storm.

So now that you know more about how these events occur and how potentially devastating they can be for our electronic infrastructure, let’s look at when we might face such an event next.

You will be shocked to find out there is very little time to prepare! Click below where I investigate:

Could Solar Storms Destroy our Civilization?

Why Preppers Should Know About These 8 Common Myths about Faraday Cages

CME, coronal mass ejection, Electro Magnetic Pulse, EMP, Faraday Cage

Here are eight common myths that you should know about Faraday cages.

In recent times, the Faraday Cage has gained popularity among Preppers and Survivalists who want to guarantee that their electronic devices survive in the event of an electromagnetic pulse or a coronal mass ejection. The issue is that the growing popularity of a Faraday Cage has given rise to a slew of myths and misconceptions.

What Is A Faraday Cage And What Does It Do?

In the event of a large-scale power loss, having a set of fundamental communication and survival gadgets on hand is critical. The following are some examples of equipment that you should have accessible.

Consider the complicated electronic gadgets you’d want to have available in the event of a major disruption. Hand-cranked radios, amateur radios solar powered generator, computer, back-up battery packs, flashlight, and so on, are examples of such equipment. These electronics may all be destroyed after a major electromagnetic pulse.

Putting these items into a Faraday Cage will protect them from the devastation of the shock-wave, allowing you to have more functioning equipment to enhance your survival capacity after collapse.

Myths and Misinformation

Because we’ve never been subjected to an EMP strike, we don’t have firsthand knowledge of shielding electronic devices from one. However, a lot of research and testing has been done, so we can design a Faraday Cage based on that information. The lack of real-life instances of individuals creating and building Faraday Cages to successfully protect electronic equipment during a power surge has resulted in a lot of misconceptions. While there are numerous false beliefs about Faraday cages, I’ve compiled a list of eight of the most common ones floating around the internet.

Myth #1: You Only Need A Metal Box

I’ve seen several articles on the internet that claim all you need to construct a practical Faraday Cage is a metallic container or a garbage can. While this is an excellent start, constructing a functional Faraday Cage takes more effort. The key point is that the outside surface must not have any gaps.

This implies that the top and the canister should be electrically connected. There must be a bridge at the juncture of the top and the body where the power can pass. Bare steel may suffice in some circumstances, however, I find using electrically conductive adhesive to seal up the seam is much better. In addition, the equipment within the enclosure must also be isolated from the casing. This may be as simple as a layer of cardboard, plastic, or timber. The key is that the objects you put inside the case will not be connected to the electrical field of the box or garbage can.

Myth #2: Faraday Cages Absolutely Need to be Grounded

Whether or not a Faraday Cage needs to be grounded is a matter of contention among Survivalists and Preppers. The fact is that it does not necessarily need grounding. Even so, I recommend that you still consider grounding one. The benefit of doing so is that you’ll be able to channel the energy that the metal of the cage absorbs into the ground. If it is not grounded, an electromagnetic pulse might strike, and the cage may accumulate a substantial electric charge, posing the danger of electric shock to you when you try and open the container. If the Faraday Cage cannot be grounded in your location, your equipment will be unharmed. You’ll, however, need to figure out a way to remove any built-up charges from the outside of the box.

Myth #3: Microwaves Make Excellent Faraday Cages

A microwave oven is designed to protect you from the radiation it generates.

Therefore, it is logical to conclude that an appliance will protect whatever it contains from outside electromagnetic energy. Microwaves do provide some shielding, but they were never meant to be full Faraday Cages.

The gap between the door and the actual microwave oven allows a pulse of electromagnetic energy to pass through. Microwaves are therefore no safe and surefire way of protecting your electronic essential survival gear.

Myth #4: Batteries Should Always be Stored in a Faraday Cage

It may seem reasonable to assume that a battery will be affected by a electromagnetic pulse, but this is incorrect.

I suggest that you store the battery chargers for your battery in a Faraday Cage, however, the batteries do not need to be stored inside.

Myth #5: Protect Against CME With A Faraday Cage

An electromagnetic pulse is not the same thing as a coronal mass ejection. The sun emits a solar flare, which is a large burst of radiation. The flare releases massive amounts of energy, some of which reaches the earth.

The charged particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, generating an electric current on Earth. Because the grid is essentially a huge radio receiver, it will accumulate the current, causing the transformers of the grid to melt.

If your electronic devices are not connected to an electrical power grid or a conductive structure such as a tower or an antenna or aerial, they will not be affected by a magnetic storm. However, using a Faraday Cage to protect your electronic devices will not cause any harm.

Myth #6: The Truth About Making A Faraday Cage Out Of Chicken Wire

You may use a chicken-wire cage as a Faraday Cage theoretically, but I would not advice it..

The holes in the wires will be smaller than electromagnetic waves expected wavelength during an electro-magnetic pulse assault.

However, in all my years as a Survivalist I have not come across any compelling scientific evidence that or proof that a chicken-wire cage would function as well as a steel-box cage against electromagnetic pulses.

Using a steel box made of strong, non-conductive materials such as ammunition cans, garbage cans with electrically conductive tapes as explained above is far preferable to spending time and money to construct one out of wood and wire.

Myth #7: Storage Of Solar Panels In A Faraday Cage Is Unnecessary

A Faraday Cage should always be used to protect your devices.

Solar Panels use sunlight to produce energy and are not affected by electromagnetic pulses. They do not need to be stored in any protective container.

However, if you solar panels have built-in charge controllers that allow you to connect gadgets directly to the panels, the circuitry will be affected by the electromagnetic pulse.

Solar panels do not require the use of a Faraday Cage, although solar batteries, chargers, and power converters are likely to be affected by an electromagnetic pulse.

Myth #8: Your Cellphone Can Be Used to Test a Faraday Cage

If my Faraday Cage can shield mobile phones from signals that should be enough proof that it should provide significant protection against electromagnetic pulses.

Regrettably, this is not accurate. Mobile phones use a particular frequency that may or may not be the same as the one used by an electromagnetic pulse.

It is preferable to test the efficacy of your cage with a variety of gadgets that operate across a broad spectrum of frequencies. An FM radio, an amateur radio, a WiFi router, and a GPS receiver, as well as a cell phone, are examples of such devices. This will give you a far more accurate picture of how well your Faraday Cage works.

The threat of an electromagnetic pulse is real. Whether a rogue state or terrorists launch and detonate it, they are a cheap way to paralyze a nation for years, if not months.

Don’t fall for the falsehoods, misconceptions, misinformation and other BS that are prevalent on the internet.

Conduct independent research, learn everything there is to know about a solar storm, educate yourself properly about what electromagnetic pulses can and cannot do, and don’t skimp on the materials you use to build your Faraday Cage.

Your communication devices are essential vital survival items you cannot afford to lose due to information that was based on myths.

The health and well-being of your family depends on your technical gear surviving an EMP attack.

Prepare in the best possible way so your survival is guaranteed.