A series of extreme geomagnetic storms has been analyzed by meteorologists

From May 10 to 12, the Earth's magnetosphere experienced its most severe disturbance of the century. Meteorologists at the Phobos Research Center conducted the initial analysis of this extreme event on May 14.

According to scientists, the recent geomagnetic storm was triggered by heightened solar activity and coronal mass ejections from May 7 to 9, 2024.

Solar flares are often accompanied by eruptions of solar material. Under certain conditions, these eruptions lead to disturbances in Earth's magnetic field, known as geomagnetic storms. Typically, solar material travels the 150 million kilometers from the Sun to Earth in 3 to 4 days. However, this time, the speed of coronal mass ejections was nearly double. As a result, the first wave was detected on Earth on the evening of Friday, May 10.

Satellites positioned 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, between the Sun and our planet, first detected the arrival of solar masses on the evening of May 10.

The magnetic storm, which began on the evening of May 10, immediately exceeded the G4 level. By midnight on May 11, it escalated to the maximum G5 level. Throughout May 11, the activity level remained no lower than G4, with periodic spikes to G5. The auroral zone extended up to 40° of latitude.

Geomagnetic activity began to decline on May 12. However, since solar flares continued during these days (especially significant ones on May 10 and 11), it was expected that they would also impact the geomagnetic situation.

The level of geomagnetic disturbances on May 12-13 did not exceed G2-G3, and this subsequent geomagnetic storm ended by noon on May 13.

According to the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the magnetic storm from May 10-12, 2024, was the most significant of the 21st century. The previous significant storm on March 24 of the same year did not exceed the G4 level.

It's worth noting that due to solar activity, the northern lights were visible worldwide over the weekend. For the first time in recent history, this rare phenomenon was observed in Cyprus.

Scientists emphasize that the Sun continues to remain highly active. Early this morning, around 5:10 Moscow time, another strong solar flare was recorded. According to space weather forecast centers, weak to moderate intensity magnetic storms are possible on Earth tonight and into the first half of tomorrow.