What car to live through a solar storm? (just for fun)
Discussion
It's not quite Armageddon, but some scientists have warned that society as we know it, may be greatly disrupted by an intense solar flare predicted for 2013.
A solar flare for those that don't already know is a sudden eruption of intense high-energy radiation from the sun’s surface caused by a huge explosion on the surface of the sun. The resulting solar storm could cause a geomagnetic storm on Earth.
Scientists believe it could damage everything from aircraft and ground controls, emergency services’ systems, emergency hospital equipment, banks and traffic controls, through to everyday items that we all take for granted such as home computers, cars, TVs and the driver’s friend – the Sat Nav. Power grids could overheat and bring counties to their knees whilst electronic items, navigation devices and even satellites could stop working after the Sun reaches its maximum power sometime in 2013.
The effect of such a ‘storm’ could be felt for days, weeks or even months as we try to bring the World back on line with electricity, communications and vital services.
This video on EMP weapons, shows a practical demonstration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
There seems to be mixed opinion on whether or not modern cars would be effected, obviously the more more modern, the more computers and circuit boards under the bonnet. In the worst case, these are the most likely to be effected.
What car would you choose to keep you going in a solar storm?
I'd go for a nice old Merc W123 diesel and stock up on vegetable oil.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C324425
And of course, topgear has taught us that Toyota Hylux is indestructible...
Sources for solar flares:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-131...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1927...
http://solarstormwarning.com/
theap minivan Tom Cruise had in War of the World's stood up to an EMP pretty well. 
If we were subject to a flare powerful enough to kill a cars electronics we would have
far more to worry about than driving!
it is also very VERY unlikely
vulnerable systems are power grid transformers and unprotected
kit connected to it like computers not protected by surge protection
and comms networks still using a large copper wire network
the problem is not so much an actual EMP burst it is large induced surge currents
in long wires like power lines or low frequency antennas.
far more to worry about than driving!
it is also very VERY unlikely
vulnerable systems are power grid transformers and unprotected
kit connected to it like computers not protected by surge protection
and comms networks still using a large copper wire network
the problem is not so much an actual EMP burst it is large induced surge currents
in long wires like power lines or low frequency antennas.
Perd Hapley said:
How would an EMP affect an old, old petrol car? I mean, points and condenser, voltage regulator and dynamo type old?
Could you keep spares of all those in a little faraday cage in the boot?
Why keep spares in a Faraday cage in the boot when most cars have a Faraday cage around the engine?Could you keep spares of all those in a little faraday cage in the boot?
ShayneJ said:
If we were subject to a flare powerful enough to kill a cars electronics we would have
far more to worry about than driving!
it is also very VERY unlikely
vulnerable systems are power grid transformers and unprotected
kit connected to it like computers not protected by surge protection
and comms networks still using a large copper wire network
the problem is not so much an actual EMP burst it is large induced surge currents
in long wires like power lines or low frequency antennas.
Huh? Science in an armaggedon thread? You'll be telling us zombies don't exist next far more to worry about than driving!
it is also very VERY unlikely
vulnerable systems are power grid transformers and unprotected
kit connected to it like computers not protected by surge protection
and comms networks still using a large copper wire network
the problem is not so much an actual EMP burst it is large induced surge currents
in long wires like power lines or low frequency antennas.
I can just see all those Millenium Bug engineers dusting down their old business cards in readiness to do battle with the next great threat to civilisation. Meanwhile they've all been spending the past few years wandering around houses for sale with their clipboards, checking which light bulbs are installed.
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