Scientists: Plasma cloud from solar eruption heading toward Earth

Solar flare activity has subsided for about 12 hours, but a plasma cloud ejected from the Sun the previous day is continuing toward Earth and is expected to arrive on Friday, August 28, the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute said.

“The plasma cloud ejected by yesterday’s explosion is now somewhere between the orbits of Mercury and Venus and will reach Earth the day after tomorrow, on Friday,” the laboratory said, as cited by Russian media.

The latest event in the series was an M7.0-class solar flare recorded around midday on August 25. Solar activity then dropped sharply.

However, the active region remains positioned opposite Earth and could produce further flares if sufficient energy accumulates, the laboratory said.

Geomagnetic storms are expected following the plasma ejection from the Sun.

By Tamilla Hasanova