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Strong, long-lasting magnetic storm hits Earth

05 February 2015 10:10 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Konuk Kamilqizi – APA. A strong and long-lasting magnetic storm hit Planet Earth in January of this year.

Namiq Jalilov, head of the Sun and Solar-Terrestrial Relationship Department at the Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory, said in a statement to APA the magnetic storm lasted all day long on February 2 and till the morning on February 3, and eventually started to lose strength at 2:30 PM Feb. 3.

N. Jalilov said there’s no considerable activity in the Sun.

“The powerful storm, which started at 6:00 AM Feb. 2, reached its climax at 12:00 PM the same day and lasted till the morning of Feb. 3, lasted for about the whole day. There’s no considerable activity in the Sun at the moment. Magnetic storms normally last for a short time – 3 or 4 hours. But this one lasted throughout a day, being strong and the longest in recent years in terms of length and continuity,” he stressed.

N. Jalilov also explained that magnetic storms usually occur as a result of solar explosions, adding that this one, however, was caused by lava flowing out of a coronal hole:

“Magnetic storms are not only caused by solar explosion, they can also come about as a result of a strong lava flow out of coronal holes. This last storm was linked with the latter. The highest activity often is seen around the poles of the Sun. But near the peak of activity this kind of holes are observed in the middle of the disc. So powerful lava begins to flow out of the hole, and that is what creates such magnetic storms. The last storm was of this type,” he said.

The department head also noted that humans can sense a magnetic storm only when it lasts long. According to him, the magnetic storm that occurred in February 2-3 was noticed by people because it lasted a day long. People have suffered from headache, nausea and cardiovascular problems during the day.