The next flares should occur on the Sun from 2 to 4 February. According to the forecast of scientists, they will be rather weak, but they can affect the inhabitants of the Earth no earlier than February 5-6. This was announced by Ravil Rakhmatulin, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Head of the Complex Magnetic-Ionospheric Observatory of the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ISTP SB RAS).
He noted that our planet will fall into the flow of a clot of matter, which will be ejected by the Sun, which is why a magnetic storm should be expected in two or three days. According to Rakhmatulin, there is no consensus in the scientific community about the effect of magnetic storms on people's well-being.
“Despite the fact that a number of scientific publications reported that such an effect was found, such studies often use concepts and methods that are partially or completely recognized as unscientific,” the scientist explained.
He added that magnetic storms can still disrupt the usual way of life. So, they are able to disable electronic equipment, lead to radiation exposure of passengers and crews of aircraft, astronauts, and cause malfunctions in navigation and communication systems.