Solar flares and nuclear power

Professor: “Really disturbed” by recent solar flares — We could have lots of Fukushima-type events if one causes power blackout 

In the first half, theoretical physicist and popularizer of science, Dr. Michio Kaku, discussed the latest science stories in the news, including monster solar flares, and the search for dark matter. Lately, the sun has been throwing "temper tantrums," with some very large solar flares, he said, and as we head into the maximum of the sunspot cycle, "the fear is that one of these solar flares could hit the Earth," like the event that occurred in 1859, which fried telegraph wires. He also noted that the asteroid Apophis could be a threat to our planet when it flies by in 2029, and again in 2036, though the odds have diminished somewhat that it will be a direct hit.

Regarding parallel universes, string theory might eventually prove their existence in other dimensions, he said. As to the concept of the "multiverse," our universe could be considered like a bubble, and there could be other bubbles existing in a kind of bubble bath, he explained, and sometimes these bubbles bump into each other resulting in something like the Big Bang. What existed before the Big Bang? "We should find evidence of an 'umbilical cord'...perhaps connecting our universe to a parallel universe," he posited. NASA is considering launching LISA, a laser space antenna that could reveal data of our cosmological origins, he reported.

Beyond the Higgs, he spoke about the next set of particles that could be discovered by the Large Hadron Collider. Called sparticles or super particles, they are "the next octave on the string," invisibly vibrating on a higher level, he said. These sparticles may be what dark matter is, he added. Dr. Kaku also talked about reports of rogue planets, as well as wandering black holes, which could pose grave dangers to a solar system.

http://enenews.com/professor-really-disturbed-solar-flares-week-could-lots-fukushima-type-events-around-one-power-blackout-all-hell-could-break-lose-video

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2012/11/20

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PODCAST: NOVEMBER 21, 2012; THANKSGIVING EDITION: FINANCIAL PRESSURES ARE AFFECTING SAFETY DECISIONS AT THE NATIONS NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Arnie Gundersen explains that Oyster Creek is the only nuclear plant in the US that lacks a modern High Pressure Safety Injection System.  This means that the recently discovered pipe crack in a 3 inch pipe at Oyster Creek would create a serious safety threat if it were to completely break.  Arnie also discusses the cost of operating nuclear plants, and how many nuclear plants around the country are no longer a low cost electric producer.  Finally, Arnie looks at the three nuclear plants with extended shutdowns (Ft. Calhoun, San Onofre and Crystal River) and concludes that the cost of maintaining 

To hear podcast GO HERE