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Today in History: Solar Flare Sparks Record Storm, Mid-Latitude Auroras

9/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 1 September 1859 a massive solar flare hurled a coronal mass ejection toward Earth; hours later it slammed into the magnetosphere, triggering the strongest recorded geomagnetic storm. The impact sparked widespread telegraph fires and produced vivid aurorae visible as far south as the mid-latitudes.

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Story summary

On 1 September 1859 a massive solar flare hurled a coronal mass ejection toward Earth; hours later it slammed into the magnetosphere, triggering the strongest recorded geomagnetic storm. The impact sparked widespread telegraph fires and produced vivid aurorae visible as far south as the mid-latitudes.