A vast aurora borealis region formed over Russian territory on the night of May 10. Notably, it was visible in the skies of St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Aurora, a fascinating natural phenomenon. (Photo: Ria Novosti).
This phenomenon occurred due to a very strong geomagnetic storm rated at G4 and G5 levels. According to astronomers from the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the geomagnetic storm began on the evening of May 10, causing a vast area of Russia to be enveloped in a plasma cloud. The speed of solar wind nearly doubled, increasing from 400 km/s to 700 km/s. The density of plasma surged by approximately 30 times, leading to the formation of the aurora.
The aurora is a captivating natural phenomenon that typically only appears in the Murmansk region, which is currently a favorite travel destination for many Russians.
Scientists state that a G1 level geomagnetic storm is considered the weakest, having little to no effect on electrical devices. A G3 level storm is categorized as strong, directly impacting electrical systems and causing disruptions in satellite positioning and radio communications. The maximum level, G5, can lead to large-scale issues with power grids and severely affect satellite operations and radio communications.
