Get Ready: Huge Solar Storm Could Shut Down US

A massive solar storm could be catastrophic for the United States and other countries, scientists warn.

Such a storm could knock out power nationwide, ABCNews.com reported, leading to a nightmarish scenario that could include failures of transportation, communication and financial systems; shutdowns of government services; and a lack of safe drinking water, food and medication.

Source: http://news.aol.com/article/solar-storm-warning/437777

IS THIS THE END? 'Quiet Sun' baffling astronomers: "The Sun is the dimmest it has been for nearly a century..."

News.bbc.co.uk: Last year, it was expected that it would have been hotting up after a quiet spell. But instead it hit a 50-year year low in solar wind pressure, a 55-year low in radio emissions, and a 100-year low in sunspot activity.

According to Prof Louise Hara of University College London, it is unclear why this is happening or when the Sun is likely to become more active again.

"There's no sign of us coming out of it yet," she told BBC News.