A recent solar flare caused a stunning display of the northern lights, spanning numerous countries. A powerful magnetic storm rated G4.7 led to the formation of auroras across various continents. A cloud of solar particles reached Earth in a record 25 hours, while this process typically takes 3-4 days, according to experts from the astronomical platform Spaceweather.
Specialists from the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the IKI RAS noted that the only reliable parameter of the solar wind — magnetic field induction — is showing values close to historical records. According to their information, the storm will last at least another day, and a complete recovery of the geomagnetic situation is not expected for at least 2-3 days.
Despite the extreme conditions, scientists assure that there is no immediate threat to people on Earth. The magnetic field of our planet and the atmosphere effectively protect against high-energy particles, preventing them from reaching the surface. Otherwise, Earth's biosphere would face serious risks. However, astronauts in open space, as well as passengers and crews of high-flying aircraft at high latitudes remain at risk.
Space technologies are currently under the greatest pressure due to this solar storm. Even radiation-hardened electronics can experience failures due to increased proton flux, leading to memory issues in satellites, degraded image quality, navigation system errors, and reduced performance of solar panels. Internet satellites from SpaceX Starlink are particularly vulnerable; the failure of one or more of them could trigger a chain reaction with catastrophic consequences. According to NOAA forecasts, there may be issues with shortwave radio communication in polar regions and an increase in navigation errors in the coming days.
