New Super Computer Could Help Predict Sun Spots and Detail Their Effects

     The name of the computer is Yellowstone, and it is 30 times more powerful than the computer the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) previously used, known as the Bluefire system.  The new Yellowstone  super computer will be housed at a $70-million 24-acre compound in Cheynne, Wyoming.  It is the largest computer ever devoted to the study of atmospheric science.  One area Yellowstone will delve into is solar flares.  Solar flares are the superheated gases that emanate from the sun.  Solar flares have the potential to be disruptive on Earth.  From energy companies to farmers, the information that will come from Yellowstone could be used to prevent power surges and warn farmers when their Global Positioning Systems (GPS's), that tell them where to plant crops, will be less effective due to these  solar flares.   See also, http://www.popularscience.com/.