In 1770, people living in far-east Asia saw the sky turn a deep crimson for over a week - an event that was recorded in ancient scrolls. Now, scientists have analysed the historical event, and suggest the red hue was caused by a giant magnetic storm (stock image)
Now, scientists have analysed the historical event, and suggest the red hue was caused by a giant solar storm.
Lost to the annals of time, the event could be the largest recorded solar flare in recorded history.
China, Korea and Japan all saw a deep red sky for nine days in the late 18th century.
Researchers from Osaka University have unearthed new documents which suggest the celestial phenomenon was caused by a geomagnetic storm.
'Historical documents can let us trace back solar activity for millennia,' Dr Hisashi Hayakawa, who led the study, told Live Science.
Comment: The main problem with this theory is that it occurred during the 'Little Ice Age', conventionally defined as a period extending from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Causes are suggested to have been decreased solar activity, increased volcanic activity, as well as other factors.