A new study from the National Academy of Sciences outlines grim possibilities on Earth for a worst-case scenario solar storm.

Damage to power grids and other communications systems could be catastrophic, the scientists conclude, with effects leading to a potential loss of governmental control of the situation.

The prediction is based in part on a major solar storm in 1859 that caused telegraph wires to short out in the United States and Europe, igniting widespread fires.

It was perhaps the worst in the past 200 years, according to the new study, and with the advent of modern power grids and satellites, much more is at risk.

"A contemporary repetition of the [1859] event would cause significantly more extensive (and possibly catastrophic) social and economic disruptions," the researchers conclude.

• Click here to visit FOXNews.com's Space Center.

'Command and control might be lost'

When the sun is in the active phase of its 11-year cycle, it can unleash powerful magnetic storms that disable satellites, threaten astronaut safety, and even disrupt communication systems on Earth.

The worst storms can knock out power grids by inducing currents that melt transformers.

Modern power grids are so interconnected that a big space storm — the type expected to occur about once a century — could cause a cascade of failures that would sweep across the United States, cutting power to 130 million people or more in this country alone, the new report concludes.

Such widespread power outages, though expected to be a rare possibility, would affect other vital systems.

"Impacts would be felt on interdependent infrastructures with, for example, potable water distribution affected within several hours; perishable foods and medications lost in 12-24 hours; immediate or eventual loss of heating/air conditioning, sewage disposal, phone service, transportation, fuel resupply and so on," the report states.

Outages could take months to fix, the researchers say. Banks might close, and trade with other countries might halt.

"Emergency services would be strained, and command and control might be lost," write the researchers, led by Daniel Baker, director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

"Whether it is terrestrial catastrophes or extreme space weather incidents, the results can be devastating to modern societies that depend in a myriad of ways on advanced technological systems," Baker said in a statement released with the report.

Stormy past

Solar storms have had significant effects in modern time:

— In 1989, the sun unleashed a tempest that knocked out power to all of Quebec, Canada.

— A remarkable 2003 rampage included 10 major solar flares over a two-week period, knocking out two Earth-orbiting satellites and crippling an instrument aboard a Mars orbiter.

"Obviously, the sun is Earth's life blood," said Richard Fisher, director of the Heliophysics division at NASA. "To mitigate possible public safety issues, it is vital that we better understand extreme space weather events caused by the sun's activity."

"Space weather can produce solar storm electromagnetic fields that induce extreme currents in wires, disrupting power lines, causing wide-spread blackouts and affecting communication cables that support the Internet," the report states. "Severe space weather also produces solar energetic particles and the dislocation of the Earth's radiation belts, which can damage satellites used for commercial communications, global positioning and weather forecasting."

Rush to prepare

The race is on for better forecasting abilities, as the next peak in solar activity is expected to come around 2012.

While the sun is in a lull now, activity can flare up at any moment, and severe space weather — how severe, nobody knows — will ramp up a year or two before the peak.

Some scientists expect the next peak to bring more severe events than other recent peaks.

"A catastrophic failure of commercial and government infrastructure in space and on the ground can be mitigated through raising public awareness, improving vulnerable infrastructure and developing advanced forecasting capabilities," the report states. "Without preventive actions or plans, the trend of increased dependency on modern space-weather sensitive assets could make society more vulnerable in the future."

The report was commissioned and funded by NASA. Experts from around the world in industry, government and academia participated. It was released this week.

via:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,478024,00.html

Also, there's this, since i know everybody doesn't trust fox news anymore (including me):

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/06/21/2012-no-killer-solar-flare/

Now, We might be post-apocalyptic before you know it I wonder what would happen in that 6 months:

1. Bikes replace cars

2. Isreal could be run through by all of the surrounding muslim states..

3. Governments in general start being more sneaky

4. Africa suffers worse than ever before

5. No video games

6. Banks shut down (as if they wouldn't have by then.. lol)

I think it would be horrible... But cool in a sort of "totally different world" type of thing. I could see our world becoming medeival or something for 6 months

2012...aint that when the world is supposed to end?

I know I'm a little paranoid.. But it all seems to be coming to the same year.. or near it anyway. the 2010's are going to be some freaky ass years, that's for sure.

Come On Down to McPeople’s Trading Post!

Aye, I’m ready for the coming demand for sweet roasted long pig and succulent hairless goat! Pick from our wide variety of “piggies” at work in the wheat fields & vegetable gardens along with any three-veggie sides while you’re there (Free Bread W/ every order!). Our expert team of pork wranglers will capture and hog-tie your choice in under 15mins or your veggies are free! Quench you thirst at our steam powered artesian well or have a quick before dinner shower while you’re here. If you’re in a hurry at least be sure to visit our world renown mulching toilets and take a squat. Are you squeamish about butchering your own “little piggies”? Let us do the dirty work and enjoy only the finest cuts of your purchase neatly package in either brine or dry salted wrap.

“After a long month of plundering the weak you deserve a break today at McPeople’s”

I’m taking applications until Dec. 2010.

There is just so many things that could destroy the world, it's better to just not worry about them and live your life. Let the scientists do the worrying.

Crap.... Its in 2012, that means its true!

the end is nigh my friends start playing those games you always wanted to before its to late

nice. Can't wait to see that. By all you infidels. :)

It's not saying the world is going to end! Just that all electronics will stop working for like 6 months.

I could use a break from the computer for 6 months. Could be fun visiting the outside world for a change.