Here Comes The Sun

Every few decades, the sun experiences a particularly large storm that can release as much energy as 1 billion hydrogen bombs. The direction of where the energy goes is critical. Ordinary solar weather produces auroras like the "Northern Lights." Mega-storms which erupt directly toward us can be far more destructive to earth's electronics-dependent civilization.

How well can we weather a solar storm? Disaster planners and officials from Europe and the U.S. asked that question in an exercise which used discharge levels comparable to storms in 1859 & 1921. They say an event like their scenario could leave millions on Earth without electricity, running water and phone service.

Audio: NPR's All Things Considered 2/26/10, Reporter: Jon Hamilton. NASA Photo from Anatomy of a Solar Storm, by Rena Marie Pacella.