Magnetic storm that sparked auroras over Russia ends, institutes say
Version 2: The storm has now ended: later reports from Russian institutes describe it as the second of the autumn, arriving about a day later than forecast, reaching up to moderate G2 level rather than only G1, and producing an intense burst of polar auroras over Russia.
In short
A magnetic storm recorded on Earth on 4 October ended on Monday 5 October, the laboratory of solar astronomy of the Space Research Institute (IKI) and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISZF) said, according to Interfax and iXBT. TASS and iXBT initially put the disturbance at level G1, while later reports said the storm ranged from weak G1 to moderate G2. Interfax reported an intense burst of polar auroras on 4 October between 15:00 and 19:00 Moscow time, peaking at 8–9 on a 10-point scale, and said the last burst came around 8am on 5 October; RIA Novosti reported the storm caused an aurora burst in Russia.
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The magnetic storm recorded on Earth on 4 October ended on Monday 5 October, according to the laboratory of solar astronomy of the Space Research Institute (IKI) and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISZF) of the Russian Academy of Sciences. “The second magnetic storm of this autumn passed and ended on Earth with a day's delay relative to the forecast,” Interfax quoted the laboratory as saying. iXBT also reported that the storm had ended, describing it as the second of the autumn and saying it began roughly a day later than the initial forecast. [ 3 , 4 ]
Reports of the storm's strength developed over the two days. TASS said on 4 October that a weak magnetic storm had occurred, with the disturbance of the magnetic field at level G1 according to monitoring; iXBT said the G1 figure came from the Institute of Applied Geophysics. On 5 October the laboratory cited by Interfax said the storm's strength had been in the range from weak (G1) to moderate (G2), and iXBT likewise reported that it reached G2. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
On the cause, Interfax quoted the laboratory as saying the storm resulted from the impact of a medium-size coronal hole, an effect that is still continuing but whose peak intensity has passed. iXBT had earlier reported, citing Sergei Bogachev, head of the laboratory of solar astronomy and heliophysical instrumentation in the space plasma physics department of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, that the disturbances would be caused by the combined effect of several small emissions of solar plasma and a coronal hole. [ 2 , 3 ]
Interfax reported that an intense burst of polar auroras was observed on 4 October from 15:00 to 19:00 Moscow time, reaching a peak of 8–9 on a 10-point scale, and that the last burst was registered around 8am Moscow time on 5 October. RIA Novosti reported that the magnetic storm which had caused a burst of polar auroras in Russia had ended. [ 3 , 5 ]
Later on 5 October, iXBT reported that solar activity had returned to normal values and that the probability of a new significant intensification was assessed as small. None of the reports described damage or disruption caused by the storm, and the documents do not say where the measurements were taken; TASS gave no cause for the event. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
Storms at G1–G2 are the mild and moderate categories, and the documents report no damage or disruption, so the practical consequences described are limited. The significance here is mainly a routine space-weather update from Russian institutes, with the local element that the event produced polar auroras over Russia and the reason it mattered to readers was the visible sky display rather than any impact on infrastructure.
Key facts
- A magnetic storm was recorded on Earth on 4 October; TASS and iXBT reported the disturbance of the magnetic field at level G1. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The storm ended on 5 October, according to the laboratory of solar astronomy of IKI and ISZF, as reported by Interfax. [ 3 ]
- Interfax reported the storm's strength ranged from weak (G1) to moderate (G2), and iXBT reported it reached G2. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Interfax reported the storm was the second of this autumn and passed about a day later than forecast; iXBT reported the same delay. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The cause was given as the effect of a coronal hole; iXBT, citing Sergei Bogachev, also cited the combined effect of several small solar plasma ejections. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Interfax reported an intense aurora burst on 4 October from 15:00 to 19:00 Moscow time, peaking at 8–9 on a 10-point scale. [ 3 ]
- RIA Novosti reported that the storm which caused a burst of polar auroras in Russia had ended. [ 5 ]
- iXBT reported solar activity had returned to normal values and the probability of a new significant intensification was assessed as small. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A magnetic storm occurred on Earth on 4 October, with the disturbance of the magnetic field reported at level G1. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The storm had ended by 5 October, according to the laboratory of solar astronomy of IKI and ISZF and to outlet reports. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The strength of the storm was reported as ranging from weak (G1) to moderate (G2). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The storm was the second of this autumn and passed about a day later than the initial forecast. [ 3 , 4 ]
- A coronal hole was cited as a cause of the geomagnetic disturbances. [ 2 , 3 ]
- A burst of polar auroras was observed on 4 October, and RIA Novosti reported the storm caused an aurora burst in Russia. [ 3 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The exact clock time the storm began or peaked. The documents date the storm to 4 October and give aurora timings, but no start or peak time for the geomagnetic event itself.
- Whether the storm was a G1 event only or reached G2. TASS and iXBT's first report described level G1, while Interfax and a later iXBT report said the range was G1 to G2; the documents do not reconcile the difference.
- Any effects on communications, power systems or people. None of the documents reports damage or disruption, and they do not say whether any effects were observed.
- Where the measurements were taken. The documents name monitoring, the Institute of Applied Geophysics and the IKI and ISZF laboratory, but do not identify observation points.
- Whether further geomagnetic disturbances occurred. iXBT reported only that the probability of a new significant intensification was assessed as small, and that activity had returned to normal; this is a forecast, not a confirmed development.
- Details of the advance warning and its attribution. The account of Sergei Bogachev's forecast and explanation comes from a single outlet, iXBT.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- An intense burst of polar auroras began, observed from 15:00 to 19:00 Moscow time on 4 October and peaking at 8–9 on a 10-point scale, per Interfax. [ 3 ]
- TASS publishes its report that a weak magnetic storm occurred on Earth, with the disturbance level at G1. [ 1 ]
- iXBT publishes its account of the 4 October storm, including the Institute of Applied Geophysics data and Bogachev's earlier warning and explanation. [ 2 ]
- The last aurora burst is registered around 8am Moscow time on 5 October, per the laboratory cited by Interfax. [ 3 ]
- Interfax reports that the moderate magnetic storm ended on Earth on Monday, citing the IKI and ISZF laboratory. [ 3 ]
- iXBT reports the storm has ended, that it reached G2 and arrived a day late, and that solar activity has returned to normal. [ 4 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that the magnetic storm which caused a burst of polar auroras in Russia has ended. [ 5 ]