Unveiling 774 AD's cosmic mystery: The red cross enigma
In 774 AD, a large red cross illuminated the night sky over England, causing quite a stir among the Anglo-Saxons. It was regarded as a divine sign, appearing just after turbulent political changes. This remarkable phenomenon was recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Still, it was not until 2012 that Jonathon Allen, a student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, discovered it. The impetus for this discovery was research by Japanese scientists who detected traces of intense radiation in cedar trees dated to the year 774.
In 2012, a team of Japanese scientists led by Fusa Miyake discovered extraordinarily high levels of the carbon-14 isotope in the rings of cedar trees from the years 774-775. These levels were up to 20 times higher than the norm, indicating exceptionally strong radiation.
Mysterious event in the sky
Although such anomalies in carbon-14 levels often result from strong solar flares, that theory did not fit in this case. First, there were no records of solar flares from that period. Second, even the strongest solar flares known to humanity would not be sufficient to cause such changes in carbon-14 levels.
One theory suggests that the cause could have been supernova explosions of stars that release vast amounts of gamma radiation. While a supernova explosion could theoretically cause such radiation, there are no records of a supernova explosion close enough to Earth in the years 774-775.
However, Allen suggests that the supernova might have been hidden behind a dust cloud, partially obscuring the star's light and creating the effect of a red cross visible only at dusk. Astronomer Geza Gyuk supported this hypothesis, stating that the cross shape could have been formed due to the scattering of light by the dust cloud.
Yet, Allen’s interpretation is not the only theory. As early as 1870, John Jeremiah proposed an explanation suggesting that the red cross could have resulted from the aurora borealis, known for creating colourful bands of light in the sky. Another hypothesis suggests that the cross could have been an optical illusion caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere. Sunlight passing through these crystals might have produced an effect resembling a cross.
Although this phenomenon remains a mystery, its potential implications for the modern world are serious. If similar radioactivity were to happen today, it could destroy critical technologies such as satellites or communication networks and threaten energy infrastructure. Therefore, research into such phenomena is important and can help us understand and prepare for future unpredictable cosmic events.
