A magnetic storm is expected on Earth on December 25 due to a solar flare. This was announced by Mikhail Leus, a leading specialist at the Phobos weather center, in his Telegram channel.
The period of relatively low solar activity, and there have been no maximum class X flares on it for 15 days, seems to be coming to an end.
On Monday morning, a medium-class flare occurred on the Sun. However, its intensity, estimated at M8.9, came very close to the boundary of the maximum class X.
The center of the explosion is located at a great distance from Earth, approximately 40 degrees to the left of it. However, according to forecasts, part of the solar matter ejection may reach our planet.
It is expected that the coronal mass ejection caused by this solar flare will reach Earth in the afternoon of December 25. After 3:00 PM Moscow time, it may cause a weak or moderate magnetic storm, class G1–G2.
The preliminary duration of the magnetic storm is estimated at 8–10 hours. Perhaps sky watchers in higher latitudes will be able to see the aurora borealis.
This solar flare occurred in the vast group of sunspots №3932, which is located on the eastern side of our star. Experts are monitoring the accumulation of energy in this area, as it will approach the Sun-Earth line in the next five to seven days.
On Tuesday, December 17, a short-term magnetic storm of level G1 was recorded on Earth, which arose as a result of the ejection of solar matter. The protuberance ejected by the Sun partially reached Earth in the morning hours.
According to scientists, the number of magnetic storms will increase, and this process will last two to three years. Until about 2028, we will have to live in conditions of magnetic storms and auroras.
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The most powerful flare close to class X — M9.4 was recorded on the Sun