Anomalous magnetic storm holds Earth for more than 50 hours

The magnetic storm, which began on Tuesday morning, has been affecting Earth for more than 50 hours almost without interruption. Its strength fluctuates between G1 and G3: the medium level is recorded more often, but periodic intensifications are observed. This was reported by the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy at IKI RAS.

The main reason is the abnormally fast solar wind, the speed of which remains at the level of 700-800 km/s, sometimes reaching 900 km/s. For comparison, normal indicators are 300-450 km/s. Such a plasma flow is the main source of energy for the disturbed magnetosphere.

The situation is supported by two factors at once: increased flare activity and a large coronal hole through which the Earth passed at night. Flares are still limited to M-class - they are powerful, but still weaker than the rare X-level.

"We can say that the Earth's magnetosphere has partially stabilized, but not in a calm mode, but in a state of constant medium-strength storm," the report notes.

Only extremely strong flares or direct hits of plasma clouds can disrupt this balance. If this does not happen, the first signs of storm weakening may appear within the next one to two days.