Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse!, Betelgeuse!!

re: Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse!, Betelgeuse!!
ER — (archived)

I haven't worked out the math, but a nearby supernova might generate a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP). As it flashes through the earth, it will induce minute electrical currents in every conductor exposed to it. 50 years ago, this might not even have been noticed. Today, it could fry every integrated circuit and digital microchip on the planet that wasn't shielded. Think of it, every satellite, every computer, every cell phone and wristwatch, every automobile, radio, and practically every electrical appliance on earth would stop working instantly. Even those gadgets, like light bulbs and fans, that contain no chips, would soon die as the control circuits in our power grid died and all the breakers tripped. Only antique cars would still run, but gas pumps wouldn't.

Most military equipment is shielded against battlefield EMP, so it would remain on line, and some civilian gear in shielded rooms or Faraday Cages would continue to work, but they would have few other nodes to commuicate with. The world would go technologically silent, and blind, in an instant, and civilization would grind to a halt. A single point of failure.

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (34 posts)