NASA has warned that an increase in radiation levels emanating from the sun could wreak havoc on power grids and communication systems in 2013.

At the moment the sun is in a quiet phase of activity but this is predicted to change in three years time when there will be unprecedented levels of magnetic energy and hugely powerful solar flares.

These flares could produce massive magnetic storms on Earth, resulting in black outs that could last for days or even weeks.

A similar event happened in 1859 which burnt out telegraph wires in the US and Europe. The auroras produced by the flares turned two-thirds of the Earth’s sky red.

Of course in 1859 the use of electricity was in its infancy, in the 21st century the problems caused by such an event would be far more serious.

NASA currently has several spacecraft in orbit around Earth which are studying the threat of increased solar activity, and could possibly give early warning of such an event.

Precautions could then be implemented to minimize damage such as temporarily shutting down power grids and communication satellites.

At a conference held yesterday in London the British Defence Secretary spoke about the vulnerability of modern society’s dependence on technology.

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