Geomagnetic storm expected to hit Earth on Friday, scientists warn

Scientists are warning that a geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth on Friday, following a significant solar flare event. The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute reported that plasma ejections, traveling at speeds of 600–1,000 kilometers per second, take several days to reach our planet.

Currently, the plasma cloud ejected by the flare is en route to Earth, situated between the orbits of Mercury and Venus. The impact is anticipated on Friday. Initial forecasts suggested strong G3-level storms, but scientists have revised this down to more modest G1–G2 levels, indicating minor to moderate geomagnetic disturbances.

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As often happens in such cases, once everything is over for the Sun, it is only beginning for Earth. Plasma ejections, despite their enormous speeds of 600–1,000 kilometers per second, take between two and four days to cover the 150 million kilometers separating Earth from the Sun. This is why it is common for flare activity to have already ended while Earth is only preparing to encounter its effects. That is exactly what is happening now.

These disturbances are expected to persist for up to two days. The duration may be influenced by additional energy from a coronal hole currently present on the Sun. This phenomenon occurs when solar activity subsides, but its effects on Earth are just beginning.

In related astronomical news, an almost total lunar eclipse is predicted for August 28, marking the last lunar eclipse of 2026. However, visibility from Kazakhstan might be challenging due to the timing, as morning will have begun across the country, obscuring the view. This follows recent observations of a sharp increase in solar activity, including several strong M-class flares.

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The forecast for the impact is relatively mild. The ejection does not appear to be moving particularly fast, so the initial expectations of strong G3-level storms have been revised down to more modest G1–G2 levels, minor to moderate events.