Short Wave When Our Star Erupts - The 1859 Solar Storm And More
May 5, 2022
In this captivating discussion, solar physicist Dr. Samaiyah Farid from Yale University dives into the dramatic events of the 1859 Carrington event, the most intense solar storm on record. She reveals the stunning auroras it triggered and how it disrupted telegraph systems worldwide. Farid also explains the powerful forces behind solar flares and coronal mass ejections, warning about the risks modern technology may face in future storms. Plus, discover how we monitor these solar events and ensure our safety while enjoying celestial phenomena!
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The Carrington Event
- In 1859, Richard Carrington observed a massive solar flare, initially mistaking it for an equipment malfunction.
- This event triggered auroras worldwide, disrupted telegraphs, and highlighted the sun's impact on Earth.
Solar Flares and CMEs
- Solar flares are explosions of electromagnetic radiation from the sun, sometimes accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
- CMEs are plasma eruptions traveling over a million miles per hour, like a chunk of the sun being hurled into space.
Aurora Formation
- Auroras are caused by the sun's particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field.
- This interaction pushes particles into the Earth's atmosphere, creating the light display.