MASSIVE SOLAR FLARES 1ST FEB 2026 REMIND US - WHAT WAS THE CARRINGTON EVENT?

Yesterday, Sunday 1st Feb, I posted these words on social media.

"...Look at how the solar activity rose steadily until today's (Sunday 1st Feb) X-rated flare at 12.30 T GMT UTC. I've not noticed a steady rise like this before..... Will it continue? Are the flares facing Earth? Have large earth-bound CMEs been launched?.. "

SITUATION 2ND FEB 2026

Then today there was a massive X-8.1 rates solr flare

Spaceweather.com QUOTE "...A few days ago, sunspot 4366 didn't exist. Now it is a behemoth almost half the size of Carrington's sunspot...."

"...A few days ago, sunspot 4366 didn't exist. Now it is a behemoth almost half the size of Carrington's sunspot. (read about the carrington event here) Rapid growth is making the sunspot unstable. Indeed, it has already unleashed dozens of solar flares in the past 24 hours, including a tremendous X8-class flare

In the past 24 hours, it has produced 17 M-class solar flares and 3 X-class flares. The most intense so far was theX8-class flare...."

This X8-class solar flare peaked on Feb. 1st at 23:57 UTC.

Space weather.com: "...Extreme ultraviolet radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere. This, in turn, caused a shortwave radio blackout across the South Pacific Ocean: blackout map. Ham radio operators in Australia and New Zealand may have experienced loss of signal below 30 MHz for hours after the flare's peak.

Of greater interest is the CME--if there is one. The explosion hurled a lot of dense, dark plasma into space. That material may have formed the core of an Earth-directed CME. Confirmation awaits fresh data from NOAA and SOHO coronagraphs. Stay tuned..."

The Carrington Event 

The Carrington Event of 1859 was the most powerful geomagnetic storm ever recorded. It occurred on 1–2 September during solar cycle 10 and illuminated skies across the world with extraordinary auroras. Caused by a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun colliding with Earth’s magnetic field, the storm was so intense that telegraph stations sparked, caught fire, and in some cases continued operating even after being disconnected from their power sources.

The flare responsible for this storm was first observed by British astronomers Richard Carrington and Richard Hodgson, marking the earliest recorded sighting of a solar flare. Their observations, along with subsequent reports by physicists like Balfour Stewart, helped establish the connection between solar activity and geomagnetic disturbances on Earth. The CME that struck our planet travelled an unusually fast path—covering 150 million kilometres in just under 18 hours—thanks to a previous CME that cleared the way.

If an event of similar magnitude happened today, our world would face devastating consequences. Modern power grids, communication systems, satellites, and navigation networks all rely on technology that is far more vulnerable than the telegraph systems of the 19th century. A storm of Carrington strength could disable transformers, cause global internet outages, shut down air traffic, and throw entire economies into chaos. Space agencies and energy companies monitor solar activity closely, but our infrastructure remains largely unshielded against such a direct hit.

Beyond technology, geomagnetic storms may also influence living beings. Sudden changes in magnetic fields and atmospheric ionisation can subtly affect human biology—impacting circadian rhythms, sleep quality, and even mood in sensitive individuals

Studies suggest correlations between geomagnetic disturbances and heart rate variability and changes in blood pressure.

The Carrington Event was not just a spectacular natural display but a reminder of our planet’s deep connection to solar forces.

As our dependence on digital technology swamps the planet, our understanding of the biological and technological effects of natural solar born radaiatrion and CMEs becomes vital. Especially when we understand that 'influenza' pandemics have been linked to such solar activity for hundreds of years. vital knowledge we have conveniently forgotten.

To read and understand all about this connection, grab a copy of my book 'AI & I'