Magnetic Storm Intensifies Again
On the morning of January 20, geomagnetic activity indicators started rising again. As reported by specialists from the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the IKI RAS (Institute for Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences), the current situation may signify the beginning of a second peak of the storm. In the near future, geomagnetic indices could return to values of at least G4 level.
During the night of the same day, an extremely powerful magnetic storm was recorded, reaching the mark of G4.7. According to scientists, the change in the magnetic field«s sign can provoke a new strong geomagnetic surge, which will again attempt to reach the maximum level G5.
Against the backdrop of these events, exceptionally intense polar auroras were observed in Russia and Europe. They are among the most powerful phenomena of this kind in the 21st century. Bright auroras were even visible at latitudes comparable to the Kuban region in southern Russia and Crimea.
The cause of the current geomagnetic storm was a powerful solar flare. It occurred on the evening of January 18, its magnitude was X1.95. This flare became the strongest recorded during the winter period.
