In A.D. 774-775, tree rings revealed a sharp increase in carbon-14, likely caused by a powerful cosmic event. Initially, a solar flare was dismissed due to the immense power required, but new calculations by astrophysicists Adrian Melott and Brian Thomas suggest a coronal mass ejection (CME) 10–20 times stronger than the 1859 Carrington Event as a plausible explanation. Alternative causes like supernovae or gamma-ray bursts were ruled out due to lack of historical observations. While this ancient flare had minimal effects, a similar event today could severely disrupt modern technology, highlighting the need for improved preparedness and early warning systems.
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