A significant flare was registered on the Sun, which caused a plasma ejection towards our planet. The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the IKI RAS reported that the level of this flare reached M2.8, as reported by the Kazinform agency.
During this event, a medium-sized prominence also collapsed, increasing the volume of gas ejected. Laboratory specialists noted that this phenomenon represents a rare frontal impact. According to calculations, the center of the plasma flow is expected to reach Earth. It is forecasted that this will occur by midday on Wednesday, March 18.
Similar events were observed earlier: from January 19 to 21, a G5 level storm occurred on Earth, accompanied by the most powerful radiation storm of the 21st century. Unlike that case, the current effects will be less pronounced, but a powerful G3 level magnetic storm is expected — the strongest in the last two months.
Solar flares are classified into five categories based on their X-ray output: A, B, C, M, and X. These phenomena can cause magnetic storms on Earth, which in turn affect the operation of energy systems, the migration of animals and birds, and contribute to the expansion of the area for observing auroras.
Adelya Klycheva
