Carrington Event

What Happened?

• Solar Flare and Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): The event began with a massive solar flare, followed by a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a huge burst of solar wind and magnetic fields rising up and being released into space.

• Impact on Earth: The CME hit Earth's magnetosphere, causing a geomagnetic storm. The interaction of the solar wind with Earth's magnetic field produced widespread auroras (Northern and Southern Lights) visible as far south as the Caribbean and even in Hawaii.

• Telegraph Disruptions: At the time, the telegraph system was the primary long-distance communication method. The intense solar storm induced electric currents in telegraph lines, causing telegraph wires to spark, and even shocking operators. In some cases, telegraph systems were still operational despite being disconnected from power sources, because the induced current was enough to power the devices.

Why is it Significant?

• Scale of the Event: The Carrington Event is the most intense solar storm on record. If it had occurred in today's highly connected, technology-dependent world, it could have caused significant disruptions to satellite communications, GPS systems, power grids, and other electronics.

• Potential Impact Today: Modern infrastructure, including electrical grids, communication networks, and navigation systems, is far more vulnerable to solar storms than it was in the 19th century. Scientists have estimated that a similar event today could cause billions of dollars in damage and widespread disruptions.

What Can We Learn from It?

The Carrington Event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of our technological systems to space weather. Since solar activity follows an approximately 11-year cycle of solar maximum and minimum, scientists keep a close watch on solar flares and CMEs to predict potential storms that could impact Earth. Understanding these events helps improve our ability to prepare for and mitigate the risks posed by solar activity.

In short, the Carrington Event was a powerful solar storm that provides valuable insights into how space weather can interact with Earth's technology, and it serves as a benchmark for understanding the potential impact of future solar storms.

"I was in the act of making a drawing of the sun when I saw the flare, which appeared as a brilliant white light, bright enough to be seen even in daylight."

— From Richard Carrington (the astronomer who observed the solar flare in 1859) describing his observation of the solar flare that caused the event.