A strong X-class solar flare occurred on the Sun on the morning of October 9, which foreshadows the appearance of magnetic storms on Earth. According to Mikhail Leus, a leading specialist at the Phobos weather center, the impact of this solar activity will become noticeable as early as October 10 at 19:00 Moscow time.
Leus noted that the overall forecast for magnetic storms will be formed by the end of the day, but it can already be assumed that the consequences will be significant in both duration and strength, with possible storms up to level 4.
Astrophysicists from the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the IKI and ISZF RAS reported that the flare began at 4:25 Moscow time and reached its maximum at 4:58. Although the absolute score of the flare was X1.8, an important aspect is the plasma ejection, which occurred exactly in the direction of the Earth. The size of the ejection exceeds the possible calculation errors, which means that magnetic storms on Earth are almost inevitable.
According to IKI, plasma should arrive on Earth between October 11 and 12. Experts also noted that the location of the flare — a large spot in the north of the Sun, which appeared at the end of September, may foreshadow more powerful flares in the future. Thus, the impact of this solar activity will be felt and will lead to various geomagnetic phenomena, such as auroras and potential disruptions in the operation of electrical systems.
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