The Victorians also struggled with the effect of space weather in 1859 when a huge solar eruption caused a geomagnetic storm that interfered with railway signalling and telegraph lines.

A solar storm of similar intensity to 1859's "Carrington Event" right now ... “Every country is a bit at a loss and unprepared for that type of a scenario,” said Gerrard.

The Carrington sunspot is renowned for the intense solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) it unleashed in August and September 1859, leading to severe geomagnetic storms. NOAA forecasts ...