Vatican astronomer downplays 2013 solar storm fears

September 27, 2010

Brother Guy Consolmagno of the Vatican Observatory is downplaying apocalyptic scenarios associated with the 2013 solar storm, which may disrupt cell phone and wireless communication.

Recalling that a similar storm in the 1960s shut down the power grid in Quebec for a day, the Detroit-born Jesuit brother said that while “everything is possible, whether it’s likely is another issue.” Nonetheless, Consolmagno cautioned that it is important to have “more than one way of communicating so we don't have all our eggs in one basket.”

Consolmagno’s seven-minute interview with Vatican Radio is particularly helpful because he explains solar storms and other solar phenomena in layman’s terms.

 

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Further information:

• Solar storm warning (Vatican Radio)
• 2013 Solar Storm Could Create Widespread Panic (RedOrbit)
• Guy Consolmagno (Wikipedia)