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Scientists solve 1840s space weather mystery

128 points · 57 comments · gumby

  1. ck2 · · focus · HN ↗
    btw if a enemy of the US was to explode a nuclear weapon high enough in the atmosphere over the continental US to overcome the curvature of the earth

    ala a targeted "starfish prime" event

    it would take out virtually every power transformer on every pole

    exhausting all replacements for years

    no specialized EMP needed and no direct strike needed

    not sure what would happen to homes hardwired with solar

    oh it would also take out every satellite in orbit as they would pass through the new artificial allen belt

    doubt China would do this, however Putin could get desperate enough if he starts to lose his war entirely

    * <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Starfish_Prime" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Starfish_Prime

    * <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.science.org&#x2F;content&#x2F;article&#x2F;us-tests-ways-sweep-space-clean-radiation-after-nuclear-attack" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.science.org&#x2F;content&#x2F;article&#x2F;us-tests-ways-sweep-...

    1. ricksunny · · focus · HN ↗
      I wonder if we were talking about bog standard ac transformers, what the failure mode could really be. Seems to me that it would have to be winding overspec current, sustained long enough to melt the copper winding. On the one hand, I question. On the other, I can only begin to appreciate the capability of the integral( B dot dA) flux effect , over a very large, city or county-scale, grid-ground loop area.
      1. ck2 · · focus · HN ↗
        PBS Space Time has a great explainer on EMP science and Starfish Prime

        * <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=ZMjo_UY8vEM" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=ZMjo_UY8vEM

        Physics Explained channel had a good episode too but the math melted my brain

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