Solar storms
Solar storms, which scientists warn could disrupt communications systems this weekend, are recorded as causing chaos on Earth as early as the mid-1800s, when they sparked fires and brought down telegraph systems. Find out what solar storms are, and how previous events have affected human life. What are solar storms? YOUTUBENASA: A guide to solar flares Solar storms are weather events on the Sun that produce a huge release of energy, shooting heat, light and particles of plasma out into space. In a large eruption, the Sun ejects a flash of heat and light (solar flares), a huge ball of plasma (coronal mass ejections) and sub-atomic particles that can travel at up to 80 per cent of the speed of light (solar energetic particles). These events can have widespread - and potentially devastating - effects on Earth. 1859: Telegraph machines keep working when unplugged Drawing of sunspots by English astronomer Richard Carrington from 1859 Drawing of sunspots by English astronomer Richard Carri...