Powerful solar flare. Auroras seen over Polish? – Interia

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Sun reminded of a series of strong flares. Powerful magnetic storms can make the aurora borealis in the near future we will also observe the Polish

geomagnetic storm created as a result X1.6 solar flare may result in spectacular auroras

/ NASA

What is the risk of hitting a powerful magnetic storm on Earth? The calculations suggest that up to 12 percent probability in the next 10 years. Are we against this cosmic danger? read more

In the next few days (probably on the night of 12 on September 13) to reach the Earth’s coronal mass ejections (CME) for the last two solar flares M4. 5 and X1.6. CME created during the X1.6 flare can catch predecessor and thus intensify geomagnetic storm. If this happens, the speed of the solar wind would be up to 900 km / s, which is the highest in nearly two years. As a result of such phenomena, auroras can be seen also in Polish.

There is no certainty that this will happen, but astronomers chance of the aurora borealis over the Polish evaluate a greater than usual.

Restless Sun

Unusual phenomena are the result of increased solar activity recently. At the beginning of September on the eastern portion of the solar disk group appeared spots marked as 2157, 2158 and 2159 First stronger flare (M4.5) in 2158 there was a group of stains on September 9. By the way, there was a flare coronal mass ejection, by which have been released gigantic amounts of solar plasma. When a CME hits the vicinity of the planet, causes a magnetic storm, disrupt the work of satellites and radio transmitters. In extreme cases, can lead to failure of electricity transmission networks.

X1.6 solar flare

In normal circumstances, the Earth does not odczułaby serious consequences M4.5 flare with spots 2158th This CME would at the most powerful auroras above the Arctic Circle north. But M4.5 flare was not the last born of the stain 2158th September 10 came to the next, one of the strongest in recent times, X1.6 flare. Since the flare occurred almost in the center of the solar disk, most of the ejected plasma goes directly toward Earth. CME rushing in our direction at a speed of 1400 km / s and when I meet with the CME coming from the M4.5 flare can increase the resulting magnetic storm (even level 4 on a 5-point scale). This can lead to unusual situations where auroras are visible in our latitudes.

Polish auroras

Scientists estimate that the residents of cities such as Vienna, Kiev, Bratislava and Prague are 10 percent. chance of seeing the northern lights. 50 percent. more opportunities for the inhabitants of Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels and Warsaw. The highest, as much as 90-percent probability, observing the aurora borealis in Poland in cities located on high latitudes, including Gdansk, Szczecin, Poznan and Olsztyn.

observed in Poland auroras hardly will take the form of beautiful paintings adorning the Nordic sky. Northern lights in our country will be on the northern horizon, though it will hinder the perception of the moon. At night, when the CME with X1.6 flare reaches our atmosphere, you will notice a clear brightening sky and colorful “dancing” of the solar wind.