"...the largest space weather storm in atleast four years..."

Yup, just like it ended all life 4 years ago.

It is a real 'hoot' to keep hearing the doomsayers keep calling, "The end of the world is near!"

They have been doing this for at least 5,000 years and still haven't got it right. Got to give them an A for tenacity.

I just hope that they keep getting it wrong! When are we running out of oil, again?

I don't worry about any of this stuff.

Everybody knows the end of everything is coming in 2012.

My biggest disappointment is not getting to see the Northern Lights that were supposed to materialize as a result of the CME. _{Now I'll never get to see 'em before 2012...}

Sue---In 1989, when the CME that caused electrical grid failures in Canada, I was fortunate to be able to see "northern lights" in S. Louisiana. It wasn't the typical dancing curtain of lights; it was a red, spear-shaped light that extended across most of the sky. Spectacular!

Oh, great. I was living in NOLA in 1989, and I missed that one, too.

I would have missed the lights if it hadn't been for my sister giving me a phone call. We didn't know what it was at the time. It was kind of eerie seeing this big spear of light crossing the sky not knowing what it was. I crawled out of my son's second story window out to the roof and laid on my back to watch the show.

I predict that by January 2013 there will be found a slight mathematical error in our interpretation of the Mayan calendar.

Mark those words.

I forgot to put my sarcasm * on my last post.

Besides, even if that turns out to be true, there's really no point in worrying about it. Not only that, but if the Mayans were so good at predictions, they should have been able to predict their own demise. Is that on their calender?

It would be nice not to have go Christmas shopping though, I really dislike that project.*

They did predict their demise they just didn't know they were worshiping imposters

The calender we know of is only an ornament the real one is hidden - shhh it's a secret

Even a temporary reprieve from the icebox effect is appreciated

Does it matter? If there is a massive CME, a world killer, of course it does not matter what we discuss before it happens.

However, what I am most concerned about, is the smaller CME that can disrupt communications, and, most importantly, shut down our electrical grids for days, weeks, or possibly months.

I think there needs to be more discussion pertaining to what our utility companies should do before the forecasted arrival of a large CME.

All the talk about a "killer flare" is just loose talk. A historical size event (not this) damages equipment with very long wires: telecommunication equipment, and the long distance power grid. The event may last a few hours or so. What to do? It is well predicted days or many hours ahead of time. So, disconnect anything valuable for the duration, enjoy a night with the fireplace and a good cup in the hand. Next day check the radio news, and reconnect after the power is back and stable. There will be inconveniences, like internet slow and spotty for awhile. Even, if a controlled blackout will be required to save power equipment, you know that in hours to days everything is back online. View it as a vacation day or two.

Don't just take my word for it. Historical events are well described. Nothing "killer" there. And the ninnies get a good scare out of it.