May 5, 2049

Solar Storms
By Weather Specialist Grant Foster

When men first settled on the moon, NASA was urged to create an early warning system for solar storms that can cause serious radiation sickness which can make you feel very sick with vomiting, fatigue, low blood counts or even cause death.

The warning system they developed is known as UEPS (pronounced “oops”). UEPS (Underground Emergency Protection Spaces) provide a safe place for astronauts and other moon citizens to weather out a solar storm.

Lunar meteorologists can predict the onslaught of a solar storm which occurs when solar flares erupt from the sun sending forth a blast of dangerous protons and energy. On Earth, you're protected by the atmosphere. But on the moon - there is no atmosphere! So anyone walking or working outside could suffer from an intense blast within minutes of the flare.

When a solar storm is forecasted, solar storm warning units (recently required by lunar law) will sound an alarm. Everyone must get to an UEPS location immediately.

If you cannot get to an UEPS location within 7 minutes, you must use an Emergency Regolith Cave (ERC.) An ERC is standard issue equipment for anyone who plans to be outside on the moon and provides emergency shelter from a solar flare. An ERC is a plastic bag you throw on the ground and cover with regolith (moon dirt) and get in. The regolith protects you from the proton blast and may make the difference between life and death.