Record solar storm brings auroras to southern Russia
Earth was hit by a record-breaking radiation storm in the 21st century, accompanied by an extremely powerful geomagnetic storm. In some places, it reached the maximum G5 level. Because of this, many residents of Russia saw the aurora borealis — including in Krasnodar Krai, Crimea, and Rostov Oblast.
Mikhail Leus, a leading specialist at the Fobos center, said that geomagnetic storms can lead to serious problems with power grids and communications. Additionally, induced currents occur in pipelines, and satellite navigation and radio deteriorate.
«The aurora borealis was observed so low that it reached 45–50° north latitude,»wrote Leus. Here is how the aurora looked in Goryachy Klyuch:
According to the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the Institute for Space Research and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, a severe geomagnetic storm began in Krasnodar Krai on the evening of January 19. By midnight, it reached a maximum level of G4.7 — practically G5 (extremely strong).
By morning, the storm subsided, but laboratory specialists urged caution — the current situation suggests that a second peak of the storm is beginning. This means that in the near future, geomagnetic indices may return to at least G4 level.
