The most powerful radiation storm near Earth in 25 years

Powerful radiation storm has covered Earth's vicinity for the first time in two solar cycles

A radiation storm of S4 level has been detected in the vicinity of our planet — a rare cosmic phenomenon that has not been observed for two solar cycles. This sensational news was shared by the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences through their Telegram channel.

"The solar proton flux has exceeded 10,000 units! For the first time in the last two solar cycles, a radiation storm of S4 level is occurring in Earth's vicinity! The S5 level exists only theoretically and has never been reached in the modern history of observations," scientists report.

Specialists from the IKI RAS note that despite the exceptional nature of the current phenomenon, the record belongs to a storm event of the last century, when the solar proton flux reached a dizzying mark of approximately 40 thousand units.

Shortly before this, a powerful flare of the penultimate M class was registered on the Sun. According to information from IKI RAS, the phenomenon of M1.20 level was recorded at 14:19. Additionally, on January 19, another flare was observed — level C2.83, which reached its peak intensity at 15:27.