Astronomers announced today that the world is overdue a huge space storm that could knock out communications satellites, ground aircraft, and even trigger blackouts. We are more vulnerable now to a major solar storm than at any time in our history. Last week we had a small taste with a strong solar eruption which sent a powerful torrent of charged plasma hurtling towards the earth.  Jane Lubchenco, the head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administraton stated “It is not a matter of it, it is a matter of when and how big”.