The Carrington Event of 1859 was the most powerful geomagnetic storm on record, triggered by a massive solar flare observed by British astronomer Richard Carrington on September 1, 1859. Within 17 hours, the associated coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth, causing intense auroras visible as far south as the Caribbean. The event caused widespread disruption to telegraph systems, with reports of sparks flying from telegraph equipment and some systems continuing to operate even after being disconnected. This event highlighted the potential vulnerability of electrical systems to solar activity, a concern that remains relevant in the modern technological era.
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