Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communications

w98 writes "CNN has reported that the 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years may disrupt communications. "Significant solar eruptions are possible in the coming days and there could be disruptions in spacecraft operations, electric power systems, high frequency communications and low-frequency navigation systems," says the article."

Excellent!

[TripMaster Monkey]

This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^

Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics!

[geomon]

The same process that creates Coronal Mass Ejections will finally free humanity from the constraints of energy dependency! Charles Cagle, friend to everyone on sci.physics and sci.physics.fusion has created an unlimited energy supply [singtech.com] patterned after CMEs.

But beware: you must never show disdain for the New and Apocalypic Physics! Disbelievers will be CONSUMED by the fires of the sun in a mighty CME that will lay waste to those who do not follow Brother Charley!

A comunitcations disruption can mean...

[Anonymous Crowhead]

...only one thing - invasion.

It looks like a bad one...

[winkydink]

from the looks of the picture on CNN's site, we're well and truly screwed.

Great...

[kaellinn18]

Cue a bunch of slashdot posts with people getting cut off in the mid...##KR2F@F@$F$ {NO CARRIER}

Re:Caused by ...

[winkydink]

Don't be ridiculous.

It's obvious to the most casual observer that the solar flare is caused by global warming, which in turn, is caused by the Bush administration. :)

I'm impressed

[Neurotoxic666]

Power outage? Communication disruption? On CNN?

Hey, I'm surprised they haven't used the T word yet =)

Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics!

[ErikTheRed]

Oh come on! You know that major solar events like this are a direct result of the Bush Administrations callous disregard for the environment! They want more global warming so that they can pass emergency measures to further reduce the Bill of Rights and enslave America! Haliburton! Haliburton!

Re: 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years

[TaleSpinner]

Damn that global warming! Now it's screwing up the sun!

FEMA

[fr3nch_com]

Now they have an excuse to screw up even more.

Re:Great...

[GweeDo]

Why do you always assume people will post that? Some of us have oth...##KR2F@F@$F$ {NO CARRIER}

Re:Excellent!

[Tackhead]

> This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^

Attention, troops stationed in New Orleans. Execute Order 66!

Not All Bad

[Dr. Mu]

At least while we're standing on our roofs yelling into our cellphones, "Can you hear me now?", we can be enjoying the spectacular aurora borealis.

lol

[Idealius]

Who are the jedi?

The looters?

Re:I'm impressed

[Thurmont]

The sun hates us for our solid surface and heavy elements.

fantastic

[tont0r]

isnt this how the fantastic four were made? people hanging out in space and WHOOPS! SOLAR FLARE IN YOUR FACE! now you are made of rock.

Here we go again

[Ryosen]

In related news, oil jumped $5.50 a barrel today on speculation that the disruption to cell phones, caused by the flairs, would prevent people from checking GasBuddy.com as they drive around town looking for who has the cheapest gas. Congress is expected to wave its arms in helpless frustration, shouting out "Oh, look, An Eagle!"

Re:I'm impressed

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey, I'm surprised they haven't used the T word yet =)

What does Ted Turner have to do with this?

Re:lol

[Tackhead]

> > > > This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^
> > Attention, troops stationed in New Orleans. Execute Order 66!
>
> Who are the jedi?
> The looters?

"Yes, Lord! We need reinforcements, it's like a scene from Star Wars Galaxies down there!"
- NL-421

Seriously, I hate to duck a BOFH reference, but you know someone's gonna try and work the communications disruptions into a Katrina conspiracy theory... or use the expected communications disruptions as cover for a real conspiracy... or perhaps Karl Rove has a machine that can cause a solar flare, which is what he's using to disrupt communications as part of the metaconspiracy. Or all three, because making up non-falsifiable hypotheses is fun!

And on that point, I can only say "Ha Ha, Only Serious". The reason conspiracy theories have "legs" is precisely because looking for conspiracies (real or imaginary) is fun. Our brains evolved in an environment where the ability to outguess our fellow primate band members was an extremely useful survival trait. So not only is inventing conspiracy theories fun, it's fun for a very good reason.

So trust the Computer. The Computer is your Friend. Because it's not paranoia when they really are out to get you. (Confused yet? Good!)

Re:4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years

[Cat_Byte]

This story is a dupe. I'm pretty sure I've seen it at least 3 times in the last 15 years. Besides if you watch Southpark you would know that global WARMING couldn't possibly bring on an ICE age.

Re:Excellent!

[NewWorldDan]

Personally, I'm waiting to hear how this is a result of Bush's environmental policies.

On the other hand, the 4th largest in the last 15 years. Wow, that's quite a record and part of a very disturbing trend no less. Time to move to the hills and hide in a cave.

I for one welcome our Solar [%!Z$L

[WillAffleckUW]

[NO CARRIER]

Re:In other news...

[ArsonSmith]

With all the pollutants that are being pumped maliciously into the skies eventually float up to the Sun. As the sun orbits around the earth it scrapes through this layer of filth and causes damage to it. This damage will eventually erupt into a solar flare. This is the primary cause of global warming.

It's more like this

[robyannetta]

Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?
Ray: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath-of-God type stuff.
Venkman: Exactly.
Ray: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies. Rivers and seas boiling.
Egon: Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes...
Winston: The dead rising from the grave.
Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!

All hail!

[jonathanhowell]

We should all bow to the mightiest slashdotter of them all! [noaa.gov]

- Jonathan

Re:Northern lights?

[six]

Sorry dude, they are only visible from Earth

It's not MY fault...

[freeze128]

Firefox showed me the RSS link as:
Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communicat...

Re:Caused by ...

[sean23007]

That's right. Smokers typically die before lunch, whereas non-smokers last until almost dinner time.