Scientists are predicting that the next bout of intense solar activity will come sooner, and be more intense, than the last one.

We may start to see some action as soon as this fall. Peak activity will hit about 2012.

As a practical matter, we’re even more dependent on technology than we were the last time this happened (around the turn of the millenium). So this is going to be . . . interesting.

Fortunately, we also have the aurora borealis. During the last period of peak solar activity, I saw northern lights all the time here in Upstate New York. I am really looking forward to seeing them again.