Bill Bryson: Richard Carrington and the discovery of Solar Flares

TL;DR

Richard Carrington, an amateur astronomer, witnessed the biggest solar outburst ever recorded in 1859, which could potentially cause havoc if it happened today.

Transcript

and that brings us to my second hero whom i will mention much more briefly a man named richard carrington who was english and lived from 1826 to 1875. carrington was one of the great examples of being in the right place at the right time i came upon him entirely by chance while reading about an event of great commercial importance the discovery of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌥️ Richard Carrington was an amateur astronomer who witnessed the largest solar flare ever recorded in 1859.
• 🌐 The 1859 solar flare caused a global disturbance and affected magnets and telegraph systems worldwide.
• ⭕ Carrington's observation of the solar flare made him famous in astronomical circles and earned him recognition from the Royal Society.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who was Richard Carrington and what was his role in the discovery of the 1859 solar flare?

Richard Carrington was an amateur astronomer who happened to be observing the sun when it erupted in an enormous flare. His observation made him famous and contributed to the understanding of solar activity.

Q: How did the 1859 solar flare impact the world?

The solar flare caused a disturbance in the Earth's atmosphere and affected magnets and telegraph systems globally. This event was unprecedented and would potentially cause unimaginable havoc if it occurred today.

Q: What was Carrington's contribution to the field of astronomy?

Carrington's observation of the 1859 solar flare and his focus on studying sunspots made him a celebrated figure in astronomical circles. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society for his contributions.

Q: What happened to Richard Carrington later in life?

Unfortunately, Carrington's later life was plagued by derangement and disruptive behavior. He married a younger woman, and both of them died under mysterious circumstances, with suspicions of murder-suicide.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Richard Carrington, an amateur astronomer and owner of a large brewery, witnessed a massive solar flare in 1859.

• This solar flare caused a global disturbance, affecting magnets and telegraph systems worldwide.

• Carrington's observation of the solar flare made him famous in astronomical circles and he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society.