Solar flare triggers geomagnetic storm threat
Solar flares are classified by their X-ray intensity, ranging from A and B to C, M, and X. M-class flares are considered strong and can cause radio interference; when accompanied by a plasma ejection, they can trigger geomagnetic disturbances and magnetic storms on Earth.
Consensus
- A strong solar flare of M-class occurred on August 25.
- The flare was accompanied by a plasma ejection into space.
- The plasma cloud is moving toward Earth.
- The edge of the plasma cloud may reach Earth, though most of it will pass by.
- A geomagnetic storm is possible, potentially reaching levels up to G3.
- The event is expected to be one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in the past 1–2 months.
- Solar flares are classified by intensity, with M-class flares being strong and capable of causing geomagnetic disturbances.
Points of divergence
- The geomagnetic storm will begin at 21:00 Moscow time on August 27 and may last until the end of Saturday. — vm
- The prolonged disturbance may be linked to fast solar wind and a coronal hole on the visible side of the Sun. — vm
- The geomagnetic disturbances could last up to G1-G2 levels, with possible impacts on electronics, communication, and human health. — vm
- The peak of the flare was recorded at 13:02 Moscow time on August 25 in solar active region 4513. — fontanka
- The flare lasted approximately 40 minutes. — fontanka
- The expected geomagnetic disturbance will not exceed category G3. — fontanka
- The geomagnetic storm could be the strongest in 1–2 months. — interfax
Coverage (4 sources)
- Meteorologist Leus: Earth will be covered by a prolonged magnetic storm on August 27 — Вечерняя Москва
- Strongest in several months solar flare occurred on the Sun: Earth may be covered by a powerful magnetic storm — Фонтанка
- IKI RAN: The strongest flare of the current activity surge occurred on the Sun — Вечерняя Москва
- Strong flare occurred on the Sun — Интерфакс
Key entities
- Sun
- Zemlya
- Mikhail Leus
- RAS
- Institute of Space Research
- Moscow
- INTERFAX.RU
- Phobos
- IKI RAS
- Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics
- IKI
- Solar Astronomy Laboratory Specialists
- Institute of System Analysis of the Russian Academy of Sciences