Auroras are confined to regions near the ... One of the most extreme examples was the Carrington Event of 1859, when a massive solar storm caused telegraph wires to spark and catch fire.

The Carrington event consisted of a powerful solar flare ... Charged particles entering the upper atmosphere set off intense auroras over much of the Earth. Some people thought their cities ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jamie Carter is an award-winning reporter who covers the night sky.