A magnetic storm is currently observed on Earth, which is preliminarily assessed as weak. However, there is a possibility of its intensification to a moderate or even strong level within the next 24 hours. This information was provided by RIA Novosti, citing data from the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“We are currently recording the beginning of planetary magnetic storms. The activity level is G1 (weak storms), but an increase to G2-G3 is expected within the day,” scientists emphasize in their Telegram channel.
Experts note that the cause of this storm does not have a clear single basis. It is a reaction of the Earth's magnetosphere to increased solar activity observed since the beginning of February. The main trigger was the arrival of the edge of a plasma cloud ejected into space on February 2 during a powerful X8.1-class solar flare, which is the strongest in the past year and a half.
Bright auroras have already been recorded in the western part of the Earth, reaching maximum intensity (10). Particularly bright glow is observed over all of Canada and in the northern states of the USA.
Since January 31, the intensity of solar flares has been increasing. Since then, about 20 flares have been recorded daily on the Sun, most of which belong to the strong M class.
