Solar Maximum in conjunction with venus transit in 2012...

[Synergy]

I have just recently watched a program on Discovery channel about the possible effects of a massive CME (coronal mass ejection) caused during a solar maximum.  It was done in the hypothetical but made me think.  The next solar maximum takes place in 2012, and in June (6 month prior to the mayan calendar end date) there is also a venus transit.  It has been shown that during a venus transit, venus acts like a lens further focusing the cosmic radiation towards earth.  The conjunction of a solar maximum and venus transit together happen rarely.  The last time was prior to the advent of our now electronics dependant society. 

On its own, a large CME can disrupt power grids, knock out sattelites and communications... possibly for months (or even years for underdeveloped countries who can not afford to repair their grids with new transformers).  what will happen when there is also a venus transit??  Could we be in the dark for the last 6 months prior to December 21, 2012?

[LittleJoe]

I've seen it aswell. Even if this happens (mass CME) there is a fifty-fifty chance it will not affect us, depending on the direction of the CME. If it's north it's harmless, if it's south then it will.

The chance of such a "Perfect storm" (or perfect solar storm if you will) is quite small, but that doesn't mean it can't happen

They explained that in that case, it would probably knock out all the generators which convert high volt electricity into the lower kind we use at home. There are only 2000 of those in the world, and only 10 to 20 new ones can be build each year. Those new ones will go for the highest bidder, that means the poorest country's will be without electricity for 10-20 years.

Ouch!

[Magickist]

I don't believe that us modern day humans would be able to survive without electricity... Let alone it would change our entire lifestyle since 80% of the time most people are awake they use and rely on electricity. Kids wouldn't be able to have school the same way, adults who work with electric devices wouldn't be able to work anymore. All of the electricity dependent facilities in the world wouldn't be able to operate, and since we rely on most of them since the world has became electricity dependent itself our lifestyles would change greatly and we would have to develop a new method of maintaining a steady environment and society. Just think of all of the things that we use that our electricity powered. Imagine if we were to go without electricity for just two whole years thousands of people wouldn't be able to live, in the hot areas of the world people rely on air conditioners to maintain a cool environment. Without any machines to cool places down we would have to search for a different method to maintain that cool environment.

So basically, all of that said, if we were to go 20 years or anytime around there, think about the changes that would take place in our world. It would become an almost entirely different place, and maybe this has something to do with the Mayan prediction. Perhaps we will  lose electricity completely, or during that time period the entire human race would be wiped out because we've adapted so much to the electricity powered environment.

[Synergy]

I dont think that the developed countries would suffer for too long...  since the huge transformers they need, they would be able to afford.  Third world countries would suffer... or would they?  Alot of underdeveloped countries do not rely on electricity as much as we do.

In that program, they said that if they knew in advance of the solar storm, which they would... they could shut down the entire power grid until the storm passes.  This in itself could create problems, but hospitals etc would have backup generators.  It would still take days to get the system back up and running again though.  But it would save the transformers.   Would they consider taking it offline for real (it's a BIG decision with its own consequences)?  Alot of places would be open to looting etc and all the probs being without power would cause, and loss of communications as well.  basically any running electric / electronic device would be vulnerable.  At the least severe end of the spectrum, satellites would be affected, meaning telecommunications. 

It's a serious thing to ponder.