The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute for Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported a powerful solar flare (highest power class X). The solar wind speed reached almost 800 km/s, which triggered a magnetic storm on Earth.
According to scientists, the geomagnetic situation remains extremely unstable on March 25. It will continue until March 26. In terms of strength, the magnetic storm reached the level of a geomagnetic storm that occurred in September 2005. According to preliminary data, space weather may not normalize until March 28-29.
Magnetic storm causes equipment failures
Solar flares, followed by magnetic storms, cause radio interference and auroras. They can cause space satellites to fall out of orbit and satellite communications to fail.
What a magnetic storm threatens:
- mobile communication interruptions
- satellite TV failures
- navigation service failures
Experts remind that voltage surges are possible at power plants and transformers with outdated equipment. Therefore, it is important to update equipment in a timely manner.
Full Moon, Lunar Eclipse, Worm Moon
On Monday, March 25, a lunar eclipse also began. It started at 07:53 and lasted 4 hours and 39 minutes.
Astronomers stated that 95.6% of the lunar disk was in shadow during it. At the moment of greatest penumbral phase, at 10:13 Moscow time, the Moon had only risen in Chukotka.
Also on Monday, the first full moon of spring began. In European countries and the USA, it is called the Worm Moon — at this time the soil has already warmed up and earthworms become active.