Science News Roundup: Huge ancient solar storm revealed by tree rings in French Alps

Following is a summary of current science news briefs. Huge ancient solar storm revealed by tree rings in French Alps Annual growth rings inside the ancient remains of Scots pine trees in the Southern French Alps have revealed evidence of the largest-known solar storm, one that might have fried satellites and knocked out electricity grids had it occurred today.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Huge ancient solar storm revealed by tree rings in French Alps

Annual growth rings inside the ancient remains of Scots pine trees in the Southern French Alps have revealed evidence of the largest-known solar storm, one that might have fried satellites and knocked out electricity grids had it occurred today. Researchers said on Monday the solar storm - the sun sending a large burst of energetic particles into space - occurred 14,300 years ago. Evidence for it manifested as a huge spike in radiocarbon - an isotope, or form, of the element carbon - detected in the growth rings of the tree remains along the Drouzet River near the town of Gap.

(With inputs from agencies.)