Medieval Writings and Tree Rings Helped Researchers Track a Solar Storm From 800 Years Ago and Reconstruct Past Solar Cycles

A Medieval Japanese Diary Just Helped Scientists Detect a Dangerous Solar Event

A new technique using tree-ring carbon data and historical records uncovered a solar event from 1200–1201 CE, offering insights into past solar activity and improving space weather predictions. On Earth, intense solar activity often shows up as colorful auroras that appear harmless. Beyond the protection of our planet’s magnetic field, however, the Sun can become [...]

Medieval Writings and Tree Rings Helped Researchers Track a Solar Storm From 800 Years Ago and Reconstruct Past Solar Cycles

Diary entries by the Japanese poet Fujiwara no Teika, along with other historical sources from across Asia and Europe, played pivotal roles in a new study