Researchers Analyzed 1859 Carrington Event Plasma Data
New study suggests successive solar ejections intensified the 1859 geomagnetic storm.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Geology
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Researchers have discovered evidence that the historic 1859 Carrington Event involved a sequence of solar plasma ejections. The study, published on September 20, 2026, utilized historical records to better understand the storm's intensity.
Why it matters
Understanding how successive solar events preconditioned Earth's magnetosphere provides crucial insight into the potential severity of future geomagnetic storms. This retrospective analysis sheds light on the atmospheric conditions that drove the most significant solar event on record.
Researchers scanned more than 7,000 historical documents over 10 days to identify magnetic data signatures. The study specifically examined bifilar magnetometer records from the Trivandrum Observatory spanning August 14 to September 15, 1859.
The players
National Library of Scotland
This institution has served as the custodian of the Trivandrum Observatory records since receiving them in 2010.
Trivandrum Observatory
Located in India, this facility generated the original magnetic data records used by researchers to analyze the solar event.
Anna Szolucha
She conducted research by visiting the historic observatory to gather context for the magnetic observations.
John Allan Broun
He was responsible for relocating the magnetic records from India to Scotland during the 1870s.
The details
The analysis focused on magnetic observations that originated from India and were later preserved in Scotland. By identifying successive coronal mass ejections, the researchers determined that the magnetosphere was likely preconditioned to intensify the geomagnetic storm.
Timeline
The Carrington Event geomagnetic storm occurred in 1859.
John Allan Broun moved the records to Scotland in the 1870s.
The National Library of Scotland received the records in 2010.
Anna Szolucha visited the Trivandrum Observatory in April 2025.
Study findings were published on September 20, 2026.
The Big Picture
The 1859 Carrington Event defines the maximum historical intensity for geomagnetic solar storms against which all current space weather models are measured. This study updates the historical understanding of the Carrington Event by identifying the specific sequence of solar plasma ejections.
Improved models of historic solar storms help scientists better predict the vulnerability of modern power grids and satellite communications. This research provides a more accurate baseline for assessing the potential impacts of extreme solar activity on global technology.
The takeaway
Historical data remains a vital tool for scientists studying modern space weather risks. By recovering and digitizing century-old observations, researchers can reveal complex patterns that are essential for future disaster preparedness.
Further reading
For more information on the history of Earth's magnetic records, visit the /science/geology/ section.
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