Rediscovering Richard Carrington: The Face Behind the Solar Storm

The Carrington Event, which occurred on September 1, 1859, remains the most intense geomagnetic storm ever recorded. This solar storm caused widespread disruptions, including electric shocks to telegraph operators and fires in telegraph offices. Bright auroras were visible as far south as Panama, illustrating the event's unprecedented intensity. British solar astronomer Richard Carrington made a pivotal observation of a solar flare just before the storm, establishing the first direct link between solar activity and geomagnetic disturbances, a connection that laid the groundwork for the science of space weather.

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Despite Carrington's significant contributions to solar physics, no known portrait of him existed until recently. Kate Bond, an assistant archivist at the Royal Astronomical Society, became intrigued by Carrington after reading about him in Stuart Clark’s book, "The Sun Kings." Her investigation into Carrington's likeness revealed that he was a member of the Literary and Scientific Portrait Club, which required members to have their portraits taken. However, extensive searches across various institutions yielded no images of Carrington.

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In a surprising turn, Bond discovered a photograph labeled "the late Carrington" while browsing eBay. The photo matched the dimensions of other portraits from the club and included the letters "FRS," indicating Carrington's status as a Fellow of the Royal Society. After purchasing the photograph, Bond conducted further analysis, revealing an inscription that confirmed the identity of the subject as Carrington. This inscription linked him to Charles Vincent Walker, a friend and fellow member of the Royal Astronomical Society.

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Carrington's work over nine years included major discoveries about the sun, such as the observation that sunspots near the solar equator rotate faster than those at higher latitudes. His findings contributed to the understanding of solar dynamics and the solar cycle, which influences space weather. Experts like Dr. Ed Cliver and Lyndsay Fletcher have emphasized the importance of Carrington's contributions, noting that his observations continue to resonate in contemporary solar research.

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Bond expressed her satisfaction with the discovery, stating, “It is fitting that his photograph should also belong to the society — it feels like he is coming home.” Dr. Ed Cliver remarked on Carrington's unique legacy among solar scientists, while Lyndsay Fletcher highlighted the ongoing mystery surrounding the causes of solar flares that Carrington first documented.

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• “Richard Carrington witnessed the awesome power of the sun like nobody else before or since.” — Mark Miesch, Research Scientist, NOAA

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• “I expect that Carrington would be astonished to know that 167 years later we still don’t fully understand their cause,” — Lyndsay Fletcher, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Glasgow

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The Royal Astronomical Society has added Carrington's photograph to its archives, marking a significant moment in the recognition of his contributions to science. Researchers continue to study the implications of solar storms, with the Carrington Event serving as a benchmark for understanding future solar activity.

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