Very powerful X-class flare yesterday

[MarkS]

Strongest of this solar maximum. 
Luckily not heading our way:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22525233

[MarkS]

There have now been 4 big blasts in a 48 hour period

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22539160

And it's gradually turning in our direction ...

[mickw]

I have foil hats for sale in several sizes 

[MarkS]

Now on APOD:  http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130516.html

I'm digging my old O.S. maps out of the loft so I can cope with the failure of GPS satellite navigation.  They better start switching the lighthouses back on in case ships also lose their way.  And a tin foil hat won't help if an unguided plane falls out of the sky and onto your head.

Retrieving my stack of DVDs from the loft for entertainment once Sky and Freesat fail.  Laptops already locked away in metal boxes to protect them from electromagnetic overload.

Anything else I haven't thought of?

Mark

[mickw]

Anything else I haven't thought of?

Plastic dustbin and a wet blanket to keep the beer cold   

Get the pushbikes out cos engine management won't be working 

(I've stuffed my tin foil hat with rolled up kitchen towel so I will be OK   )

[MarkS]

Engine Management - of course!

Need to store an old Moggy Minor in the garage just in case of emergency.

[Kenny]

Where can I get one of those foil hats? They look cool!

[RobertM]

Now on APOD:  http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130516.html

I'm digging my old O.S. maps out of the loft so I can cope with the failure of GPS satellite navigation.  They better start switching the lighthouses back on in case ships also lose their way.  And a tin foil hat won't help if an unguided plane falls out of the sky and onto your head.

Retrieving my stack of DVDs from the loft for entertainment once Sky and Freesat fail.  Laptops already locked away in metal boxes to protect them from electromagnetic overload.

Anything else I haven't thought of?

Mark

Well you'd better start charging some batteries for that lot.  Don't suppose solar panels would be a good idea so if you want to do some astronomy during the blackout then you might need a generator too.

Robert

[Fay]

Surprised you have cornered the market, with those hats before Tony, Mick!

[mickw]

Tra-la-la

Life's tough at the top