In a previous Article I reported: More Active Sun Means Nasty Solar Storms Ahead.  In this post I added emphasis on the facts that:

• "The sun is waking up from a deep slumber, and in the next few years we expect to see much higher levels of solar activity," said R. Fisher NASA
  
• But smart power grids, GPS navigation, air travel, financial services and emergency radio communications can all be knocked out by intense solar activity.
• A major solar storm could cause twenty times more economic damage than Hurricane Katrina, warned the National Academy of Sciences in a 2008 report

It looks like the NASA Scientists were correct.  The Earth just received another blast of CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) Click Here to read about the latest Solar Storm that effected Chinas Radio Communications

 Here are web links for additional information on the Subject and provided links to the information - Damaging Effects caused by a Solar Storm or CME.


Q: What is a Solar Storm

A solar storm is an electrified gas cloud that erupts from the surface of the sun into space. They come from the space around sunspots. Scientifically it's called a CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) and there is more than one stage to it. First comes a solar flare, then a radiation storm and finally the CME. If a powerful solar storm struck Earth, it could destroy crucial technology and cause a worldwide blackout.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_solar_storm#ixzz1EQMhM4GE

Solar storm

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Solar storm can refer to:

• Solar flare - a large explosion in the Sun's atmosphere
• Coronal mass ejection (CME) - a massive burst of solar wind associated with solar flares
• Geomagnetic storm - the interaction of the Sun's outburst with Earth's magnetic field
• Solar storm of 1859

Related article
Sunspot - where most solar flares and coronal mass ejections originate

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  NASA - Solar Storm Warning

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  Sun Often "Tears Out A Wall" In Earth's Solar Storm Shield

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  Solar Storm Warning - NASA Science

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Who Cares About Politics? THE SUN IS EXPLODING! (kinda)

Catastrophe Looming? The Risks of Rising Solar Storm Activity
Who Cares About Politics? THE SUN IS EXPLODING! (kinda)  | Space.com

The sun let loose its most powerful eruption in more than four years Monday night (Feb. 14), disrupting radio communications in China and generating concern around the world.  

But it could have been a lot worse, experts say.

Despite its strength, Monday’s solar storm was a baby compared to several previous blasts, and it provides just a hint of what the sun is capable of. A true monster storm has the potential to wreak havoc on a global scale, knocking out communications systems, endangering satellites and astronauts and causing perhaps trillions of dollars in damages.

1. The sun’s activity cycle is ramping up, so more storms will likely be coming our way over the next few years. 
2. The sun has grown more active over the last several months after rousing from a quiet period in its 11-year weather cycle last year. 

Continue Reading…

Energy Game for Teachers, Educators, Kids, and You

The Energy Hog is a dastardly character that makes learning about energy efficiency and conservation fun. Clocking miles and saving kilowatts, the Energy Hog Program has been stirring up trouble and inspiring energy education around the country.

The Energy Hog program makes it easy for teachers and energy educators to bring energy education into the classroom or to a public event.

Program Web Site: http://energyhog.org

Overview: 

The Energy Hog is a dastardly character that makes learning about energy efficiency and conservation fun.  Clocking miles and saving kilowatts, the Energy Hog Program has been stirring up trouble and inspiring energy education around the country. The Energy Hog program makes it easy for teachers and energy educators to bring energy education into the classroom or to a public event.

Maybe you know an Energy Hog. It could even be you or a family member! No matter who's wasting energy, the Energy Hog games and resources can help your family save.  The energy hog games are a great way to engage little ones in learning about energy efficiency while having fun! They can even become a Hog Buster.

Learning about energy is fun when you include energy hogs! Access free classroom activities and materials that guide children through lessons about different sources of energy, how we use energy at home, and how to bust energy hogs to save energy.  Energy Hog educational resources are designed for grade levels 2 -6 and cover the subject areas of Science, Math, Technology, Language Arts and Social Studies, and meet national learning standards.

Schedule a “Real, Live” Energy Hog to visit your school or be part of your upcoming event. The Energy Hog is a dastardly, misled character who puts a face to the concept of wasted energy, while the dynamic, quick-witted Energy Hog Buster teaches kids how to find and defeat Energy Hogs.

Scheduling an Energy Hog for your school or upcoming event is a great way to highlight how we use energy, and the importance of energy efficiency.  Please contact Aaron Stainthorp for more information.

• Energy Shift: Game-Changing Options for Fueling the Future (Future of Business Series)      
• Consol Energy Center First Game 2010-11 by Unknown 8.00X10.00. Art Poster Print  
• Energy Braker: Game Sound Legend Series
• Bursting With Energy
• Standard Deviants School - Organic Chemistry, Program 9 - Reaction Energy DiagramsK'NEX Education - Forces, Energy & Motion

Energy-Efficient Mortgages and Financing

The following Web sites offer information on energy-efficient financing programs, including mortgages, home improvement loans, refinancing, and home energy ratings.

• Financing an Energy-Efficient Home

  This fact sheet from the Department of Energy features an overview of energy-efficient financing programs from mortgages to home improvement loans.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Energy-Efficient Mortgage Program

  The Energy-Efficient Mortgage Program is one of many Federal Housing Authority programs that insure mortgage loans to encourage lenders to make mortgage credit available to borrowers, such as first-time homebuyers, who would not otherwise qualify for conventional loans on affordable terms.

• Energy Ratings and Mortgages

  Energy efficient homes may qualify for mortgages that take into account a home's efficiency. Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) provides information on home energy rating systems, energy efficient mortgages, and finding certified energy raters and lenders who know how to process energy efficiency mortgages.

• Refinancing for Energy-Efficiency Improvements

  An overview of refinancing to make energy efficiency improvements, from the Alliance to Save Energy.

If you are interested in Green Building on an Investment Property Check out the Benton Gut Rehab Blog Series-Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172