Space weather caused a 16-minute train delay in 1848: 'Our research has a hint of a detective story'
A storm sent a surge of current through telegraph wires that caused a train on one of Britain's early railway lines to be delayed by 16 minutes.
A team of space-weather experts has uncovered the true cause of a 16-minute train delay in 1848, debunking the long-held belief that it was the first instance of technological disruption by geomagnetic activity from the sun. Instead, the delayed train occurred after the line's inauguration in 1846. After meticulously examining historical records, including railway timetables, old newspapers, solar observations, and geomagnetic data, researchers concluded that the delay likely happened on October 18, 1848, coinciding with a robust solar storm.
While this event doesn't hold the title of the earliest recorded space weather impact, it remains a prime example of solar activity disrupting vital infrastructure. The study highlights the long-standing challenges space weather poses to technology, dating back to the 1840s, and emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of space weather to safeguard against potential disruptions to modern systems.
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