this is so cool you guys when the solar storm of ‘95 hit they could talk without batteries b/c of all The Electricity
During the auroral display on Thursday night in Boston some curious phenomena were witnessed in connection with the telegraph wires. The following conversation, says the Boston Traveler, between the Boston and Portland operators on the American telegraph line, will give an idea of the effect of the Aurora Borealis, on the working of the telegraph wires:
Boston operator, (to Portland operator) – ‘‘Please cutoff your battery entirely from the line for fifteen minutes.’’
Portland operator – ‘‘Will do so. It is now disconnected.’’
Boston – ‘‘Mine is disconnected, and we are working with the auroral current. How do you receive my writing?’
’Portland – ‘‘Better than with our batteries on. – Current comes and goes gradually.’’
Boston – ‘‘My current is very strong at times, and we can work better without the batteries, as the Aurora seems to neutralize and augment our batteries alternate-ly, making current too strong at times for our relay mag-nets. Suppose we work without batteries while we are affected by this trouble.’’
Portland – ‘‘Very well. Shall I go ahead with business?’’
Boston – ‘‘Yes. Go ahead.’’‘‘
The wire was then worked for about two hours without the usual batteries, on the auroral current, working better than with the batteries connected.