19:I[66739,["/_next/static/chunks/0.3dg.jzl0xwf.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA","/_next/static/chunks/0qxr~fpya2kw0.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA","/_next/static/chunks/12wfgjmhh21qu.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA","/_next/static/chunks/028~snn2srcd-.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA","/_next/static/chunks/079qbl7l5rd72.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA","/_next/static/chunks/0hi8o2xq05aig.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA"],"default"] 1b:I[38632,["/_next/static/chunks/0qqtp3r0h7kah.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA","/_next/static/chunks/0iukvycbd42rl.js?dpl=dpl_BhmHa8NmNRnoMAUm8Lqp3TPz2qZA"],"IconMark"] 1a:T504,In 1859, astronomer Richard Carrington was studying the Sun when he witnessed the most intense geomagnetic storm recorded in history. The storm, triggered by a giant solar flare, sent brilliant auroral displays across the globe causing electrical sparking and fires in telegraph stations.

Short Wave's scientist-in-residence Regina G. Barber talks to solar physicist Dr. Samaiyah Farid about what's now known as the Carrington event and about what may happen the next time a massive solar storm hits Earth.

You can check out NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory for pictures of our Sun in real-time: go.nasa.gov/3LOWV1u

Curious about other parts of our solar system? Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

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When Our Star Erupts - The 1859 Solar Storm And More

Short Wave

When Our Star Erupts - The 1859 Solar Storm And More