From SOHO..

From SOHO..

i thought the milky way or something was near the sun???? like the mayans say about 2012, and some youtube lol vids say about the milky way passing infront of the sun which happens 25000 years or something

You're welcome! I keep running upstairs from the pool to write on ATS lol!

That's a really complicated answer.

Yes and no.

While I do NOT believe that there will be a massive solar storm that will end human dominance on Earth within our lifetimes, the impacts of solar activity are HUGE.

Everything on Earth follows the "sine wave pattern" of the sun.
It's like, the Sun is our metronome.. It sets the pace.

Right now, we're about to see an increase in activity over the next few years, and with the current economic climate much needed upgrades to vulnerable infrastructure have been all but ignored.

So yeah, we should be concerned - but not "worried", and we should take steps to make sure that our societies are able to take everything the sun can throw at us.

It all starts with you. We've already learned that we cannot trust our government to protect us. Make sure you have an adequate supply of food, water, candles, fire, etc - and everything you need to survive comfortably for at least 5-7 days without external assistance - if not longer.

This is important for a variety of different reasons. Stash away $20-$50/mo, and by the time Fall comes - you will be prepared for what's to come.

In the meantime - enjoy this beautiful gift of life and the people you love, don't waste energy with useless panic, but acknowledge the existence of a threat and take concrete steps to protect yourself and loved ones, just in case.

something I can add about the sun.

I used to live out in the sun full time - 24/7 when I lived in the Caribbean on a sailboat - I never had a problem.

BUT - over the last 5 years - I can not go out into the sun anymore _ I have become sensitive to it and break out in hives throughout my body - after being in the sun just minutes.

To say that is a bummer - is putting it mildly - I can't even get into my pool for too long to swim - I have to get in and out.

I feel something has become different with the sun - but it started for me a few years ago. So maybe it is just me.

I did ask a doc. about it, he did say - it has begun happening to more and more people - where they too break out in hives and can not be in the sun.

I don't know if this has anything to do with the whole 7/7 thing, but I noticed something odd today while driving to work (10 minute drive). I had my arm leaning out the window..temperatures were only in the high 70's at that time, but it felt like my skin was basically cooking. I actually had to pull my arm in the car because it felt so bad.

After reading everyones posts I had an informal and non scientific experiment that seemed to indicate that we burnt *much* quicker than usual.

Everybody, PLEASE state your location.

This data is *USELESS* for analytical purposes if we don't know where everyone is feeling the differences.

There is something to this, I am certain.

Without the bombardment of electro magnetic energy from sunspots to act as our shield or filter, more ultra-violet radiation is reaching the surface. This solar minimum has been longer than any in nearly 140 years. Those rays are more powerful because they aren't being deflected or filtered. They make more water vapor, more clouds, more rain, less warmth reaching the surface over time, the return of the Little Ice Age.

It's like, whenever I have a serious question that I can't answer - Phage has a logical, concise and informed response..

I vote that we send this guy a case of beer, who's with me?!