Outburst — 10: W.T.S.H.T.F.

Danny Aaronson studied the charts spread across his desk, wonder becoming awe.

NATIONAL SOLAR OBSERVATORY, SACRAMENTO PEAK, SUNSPOT, NEW MEXICO

Danny Aaronson studied the charts spread across his desk, wonder becoming awe. In his long tenure with the observatory, he’d never witnessed such wild swings as these, each curve turning higher than the last. They matched what he’d been watching through the telescope.

A solar flare had flashed before his eyes less than an hour ago, releasing a giant burst of X-rays and energy. Impact with Earth would only occur if it is on the side facing us. If we see the origin of the flare, it will occur. He had seen it. Eight minutes later, it had hit.

Special reports across all the media from astonished reporters broadcast the news. Much of that news had come directly from Eleanor Carruthers through nearly constant updates held in the large press room two floors down.

As he paged through the charts, Danny became aware just how much worse things would soon become than what Ellie was passing on at this moment.