A study on the great geomagnetic storm of 1859: Comparisons with other storms in the 19th century

Magnetic data (hourly observations) from the Helsinki magnetic observatory were applied to the reconstruction of the extreme geomagnetic Storm on August 28-September 3, 1859. The storm occurred in two stages: on August 28 and September 1-3. Magnetic field variations were recorded visually from oscillating magnets. During the most intensive phases of the storm the oscillations were so rapid that only few observations could be made. Comparisons between St. Petersburg-Pavlovsk and Helsinki observatory data are given as well as descriptions of auroral displays during the storm. The great storm of 1859 was probably the most intensive space weather phenomena during the last 150 years. As measured by the aa-index, the next greatest storm occurred in 1960. (c) 2005 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.