This episode of Weird History explores the most dramatic space weather event ever recorded and why scientists are terrified it could happen again. In 1859, we had telegraphs. Today, we have satellites, GPS, power grids, and the internet. A Carrington-level event now would be catastrophic, potentially causing trillions in damage and sending modern civilization back to the pre-electric age.

We'll uncover the science behind solar storms, examine the eyewitness accounts from around the world, and reveal why government agencies are secretly preparing for the next "big one." From gold miners in the Rockies reading newspapers by aurora light to the telegraph operator who famously sent "I am working with heavenly battery," discover how one solar tantrum changed our understanding of space and Earth's vulnerability.

Keywords: weird history, Carrington Event, solar storms, space weather, 1859 solar storm, telegraph history, northern lights, solar flares, electromagnetic storms, historical disasters, space science, Victorian technology

Perfect for listeners interested in: space science, historical disasters, Victorian technology, electromagnetic phenomena, and anyone curious about how vulnerable our modern world really is.

Another shocking episode from Weird History - where past disasters warn us about future catastrophes.