Will there be an abundance of solar flares in 2012?

Answer 1

We really have no idea how active the Sun will be during 2012. Because this is the period of increasing activity (we're currently about 1.5 years into the 11-year sunspot cycle) we can expect that there will be more flares in 2012 than we'll have in 2011, and probably quite a few more than we had in 2010. But whether 2012 will be anywhere close to a record would be impossible to say at this point.

However, depending on the direction and severity of a solar flare, an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) can be generated, powerful enough to damage electrical equipment (cell phones, computers, cameras, etc.). I myself looked into forms of protection against these threats. Beyond just knowing the facts there are products out there to help.

There is a website listed in the related source links below

Answer 2

It is difficult to predict the exact number of solar flares that will occur in a specific year like 2012. Solar activity, including the occurrence of solar flares, follows an 11-year cycle known as the solar cycle. During periods of high solar activity, such as the peak of the solar cycle, there may be an increase in the number of solar flares. However, predicting the specific timing and intensity of individual solar flares is challenging.