First magnetic storm of autumn begins on Earth

The first magnetic storm of autumn has begun on Earth after a cloud of plasma ejected by the Sun reached the planet, according to the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute.

The laboratory said the geomagnetic storm began at around 8:00 am GMT on September 8. It was initially classified as a weak, category-one storm on a five-point scale, Russian media reports.

Scientists said the solar plasma reached Earth around midday on September 7, triggering prolonged geomagnetic disturbances that lasted for about a day before the storm threshold was exceeded.

The laboratory forecast that geomagnetic conditions are unlikely to return to normal for at least another two days. Moderate, category-two storms are possible during this period, while the probability of stronger, category-three storms remains low, it said.

The laboratory had previously warned that additional clouds of solar plasma could reach Earth on September 8 and 9.

By Sabina Mammadli