Magnetic storms are becoming more frequent due to the approaching peak of solar activity, Alexey Yurasov, professor of the department of nanoelectronics at RTU MIREA, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, said in an interview with RT.
“Recently we have been hearing more and more often about magnetic storms. They become more frequent due to the approaching peak of solar activity. The Sun is a main sequence star and the source of life on Earth, so it is very important to study the dynamics of solar activity and solar cycles, since biological and climatic processes on Earth are largely related to them,” he explained.
The expert recalled that magnetic storms arise from coronal mass ejections, or solar flares.
“We are now in the 25th solar cycle, which began in December 2019. The average length of solar cycles is 10-12 years, therefore, according to preliminary forecasts, the peak of activity of the 25th solar cycle is expected in 2025. Up to 115 sunspots can form on the Sun, which are areas of low temperature and density. They are formed as a result of the release of strong magnetic fields into the photosphere. An increase in the number of sunspots is usually accompanied by an increase in solar activity, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections,” explained RT’s interlocutor.
These phenomena can cause magnetic storms on Earth, which affect the operation of electronics, satellites and communications systems, as well as the health of some people, Yurasov said.
“In addition, the frequency of magnetic storms is affected by seasonality. They most often occur in spring and autumn due to the tilt of the earth's axis relative to the sun. This is also due to the fact that during these periods the Earth’s magnetic field is exposed to greater influence from the solar wind, which can cause its disturbance and, as a consequence, the occurrence of magnetic storms,” the specialist concluded.
Previously, director of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation named after. Pushkov RAS (IZMIRAN) Vladimir Kuznetsov explained in a conversation with RT the appearance of the aurora against the background of a magnetic storm.
