(SOHO)
A new class M1.1 flare occurred on the Sun, which, despite the average strength, lasted more than 4 hours and was accompanied by a coronal mass ejection directed towards the Earth.
The solar plasma is expected to reach our planet on February 2 and cause a moderately strong geomagnetic storm.
The Sun is currently in its 25th activity cycle, which began in 2020.
An increase in the activity of the luminary is manifested in an increase in the number of spots and the occurrence of flares and coronal mass ejections.
If the plasma ejected from the Sun reaches the Earth, then a geomagnetic storm can occur.
They can cause auroras, interference in radio communications and failures in the operation of satellites and power systems.
Now the largest sunspot group on the Sun is AR2936, which recently quadrupled in size in just 48 hours.
In the early hours of January 30, 2022, AR2936 generated an M1.1-class flare and an associated slow, asymmetric coronal mass ejection.
M-class flares are considered medium in strength and are capable of causing short-term disruptions in radio communications that affect the polar regions of the Earth.
In this case, the flare lasted more than 4 hours, which allowed astronomers to attribute it to the class of events of the LDE (Long Duration Event) type.
They differ from short-term (several tens of minutes) X-ray flares in that they demonstrate a large or complex structure of the radiation source in the soft X-ray range and a gradual drop in the intensity of hard x-rays.
Scientists expect the plasma ejection to reach Earth on February 2, triggering a moderately severe Level 2 (G2) geomagnetic storm.
During such storms, auroras can be observed above the Arctic Circle, descending to lower latitudes.
Source:
- SpaceWeather: https://twitter.com/SpaceWeather/status/1487743318192705539