A 16-minute train delay shows how a solar storm disrupted Victorian technology

A 16-minute train delay in Exeter, Devon, in October 1841 was claimed to have been caused by a geomagnetic disturbance from a solar storm, but a new study reveals the date was a typographical error. The incident, previously thought to be the earliest recorded example of space weather affecting technology, was actually on October 18, 1848, not 1841. The research team, including scientists from Lancaster University and other institutions, used historical records, solar observations, and geomagnetic data to confirm this. The findings show that while the Exeter incident is one of the earliest documented space weather impacts, it was not the first. The earliest credible report is the 1847 Midland Railway telegraph interference.

The study highlights that space weather has been affecting technology for as long as electrical systems have existed. The Exeter incident, though not the earliest, is one of the first clear examples of solar activity disrupting critical infrastructure. The research underscores the importance of combining historical archives with scientific observations to reconstruct past space weather events. The findings also show that modern technologies, such as satellites and communications networks, are still vulnerable to solar storms, but the fundamental challenge remains the same.

The study, published in *Space Weather*, provides a detailed analysis of the event and its implications. It emphasizes that space weather is not a new threat but a long-standing natural hazard. The research demonstrates the value of preserving older records to interpret past events and improve future predictions. The findings also highlight the need for continued research to understand and mitigate the impacts of space weather, especially as the 2030s bring new solar cycles. The study's lead author, Professor Jim Wild, stressed that the research shows the importance of understanding space weather in the context of technological evolution.

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