Deadly Red Sky Solar Storm from 800 Years Ago Discovered in Ancient Trees
Researchers in Japan traced a hidden medieval solar storm using ancient tree rings and centuries-old sky observations. They linked historical reports of eerie red auroras with spikes of carbon-14 trapped in tree rings, confirming a massive but forgotten solar event.
Medieval Solar Storm Uncovered
Researchers in Japan traced a hidden medieval solar storm using ancient tree rings and centuries-old sky observations.
How They Found It
The team used multiple evidence sources:
- Ancient tree rings containing carbon-14 spikes
- Historical accounts of red auroras
- Sky observations from centuries past
Significance of Discovery
The team linked reports of eerie red auroras with spikes of carbon-14 trapped in ancient wood samples, confirming that a major solar storm struck Earth around 800 years ago despite being largely forgotten by history.
Climate and Space Weather
This discovery provides insight into extreme solar events and their potential impact on Earth's atmosphere and climate.