There is a type of weather with the power to knock out a major cities power supply in seconds, or disrupt aviation travel, or destroy satellites orbiting the earth;  this is space weather. Space weather is recreated when the sun is experiencing a period of heightened activity, and it ejects massive clouds of highly energetic particles, with a large magnetic field. Solar storms distort our own magnetic field, and the energetic particles can sometimes find their way way through to earth. When this happens national grids can be highly vulnerable to a build up of charge in the system, or satellites can be destroyed. This affects electricity supply, telecommunications, and air travel.

2012 is the beginning of a period of intense solar activity. March 8th saw one of the largest solar storms for many years. These events can have serious consequences. In 1989 a major storm plunged Quebec and parts of northern New York state into darkness. In 2003, part of Sweden’s national grid was taken out, and the GPS system controlling air traffic control was affected. These solar storms have the potential to cost lives, as well as causing millions dollars worth of damage. Support our work to protect your city!