In the second half of the day on November 5, one of the strongest magnetic storms of the last few years hit the Earth. In this respect reported On the website of the Solar X-ray Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI) and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The storm was classified as G3 (“strong,” G1 “weak,” and G5 “extremely strong” on a 5-point scale).
“Currently (November 5, 23:30 Moscow time – Ed.) the Earth is in a cloud of solar plasma and, apparently, will remain in it at least until tomorrow morning. The temperature of the interplanetary gas near the Earth has now increased to 300 thousand degrees, that is, approximately 10 times, and the speed of the solar wind has increased from 350 km/s to 350 km/s (as of the beginning of the day). The X-ray Laboratory of solar astronomy of the Institute for Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the ISTP of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences say “500 km/s”.
Measurements by the spacecraft that the plasma cloud passed through on its way to Earth showed the presence of its own magnetic field in the plasma. It is directed in the opposite direction to the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field.
“This could cause some form of extinction of the field lines as the launch site interacts with the Earth’s field, possibly further increasing the impact on the Earth’s magnetosphere,” the scientists said.
Scientists did not expect this
The current event is caused by a plasma cloud ejected from the Sun towards Earth on November 3. Scientists “saw” it but could not imagine that it would cause such a powerful phenomenon.
“By all indications, evacuation was considered normal. Based on this and the measured speed of the cloud, the plasma was expected to reach Earth tomorrow, November 6, and was designated as a G1 weak magnetic storm in the forecasts of all world agencies. lowest class. In fact, it has now become clear that the gas clouds covered the 150 million kilometer distance from the Sun to the Earth in just two days, and eventually hit the Earth’s magnetic field one day earlier than expected and with much greater force. Accordingly, both the speed and the power of the launch, as is now clear, were completely misjudged, but this still does not explain how such a weak cause could cause a storm of the observed level.” Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences ISTP.
The storm brought brightness
An extraordinarily powerful magnetic storm caused the entire eastern hemisphere at latitudes 65 degrees north and above to be “flooded” with auroras.
Residents of some regions of Russia reported the observed phenomenon. Photos were published on social networks by residents of the Perm Territory, Kaliningrad, Novosibirsk, Saratov, Sverdlovsk, Kurgan, Tyumen, Chelyabinsk regions, Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Krasnodar Territory and Crimea.
Perm portal 59.ru with reference to astronomer Sergei Polishchuk reportedFor the first time, residents had the opportunity to see the corona of the northern lights, the brightest form of a natural phenomenon, where the colors of the glow are clearly distinguishable from pink to bright green.
“This glow is the strongest in the last 20 years” potential customers NGS.ru quotes edition of Novosibirsk astrophotographer Alexey Polyakov.
northern Lights perceived Even in Turkey.
Magnetic storm is a geophysical phenomenon caused by the impact of the solar wind on the Earth’s magnetosphere. As a result of this impact, disturbances occur in the magnetic field of the planet, which can lead to various atmospheric and technical consequences: interruptions in the functioning of electrical networks, satellites, radio communications, as well as causing northern lights.
“The record event for this year, as well as for the last several years, remains the 23-24 April storm, whose peak reached G4. G5 level events have not been observed on Earth for approximately 20 years. The last storm of the relevant class was recorded on September 11, 2005. clarified Experts from IKI RAS and ISTP Siberian Branch of RAS.