Scientists solve 1840s space weather mystery
19th century Nature account of 1841 train delayed by geomagnetic storm got year wrong—due to a typo.
19th century Nature account of 1841 train delayed by geomagnetic storm got year wrong—due to a typo.
The short version
- Were a similarly intense geomagnetic storm to occur today, it would likely seriously damage the electrical power grid, causing widespread outages and blackouts, as well as disrupting satellite communications.
- That’s why scientists are so keen to learn more about past geomagnetic disturbances: It will help them strengthen future predictions in order to mitigate any damaging effects.
- In 1871, Holmes was living in Hampstead, about a mile away from where Nature editor Sir Norman Lockyer lived.
What happened
Furthermore, the authors also found contemporary newspaper accounts of Holmes delivering a lecture on chemical effects of the solar spectrum in Scotland. So Holmes was clearly interested in solar activity and was familiar with Lockyer’s discovery of helium lines in solar spectra.
Why it matters
There is also an 1877 letter from Holmes inviting Lockyer for a visit, indicating they had a business relationship of some kind.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.