In professional slang, one of the varieties of geomagnetic manifestations is called magnetic storms. The nature of this phenomenon is closely related to the active interaction of the Earth's magnetic sphere with solar wind flows. According to statistics, about 68% of the population of our planet feel the influence of these flows, which from time to time come to the Earth. That is why experts recommend that people who are especially sensitive to changes in the atmosphere find out in advance when magnetic storms are expected, the forecast for the month can always be seen on our website.
Magnetic storms: what is it?
In simple terms, this is a reaction the globe flares that occur on the surface of the sun. As a result of this, oscillations occur, after which the Sun emits billions of charged particles into the atmosphere. They are picked up by the solar wind, carrying them away at great speed. These particles can reach the Earth's surface in just a few days. Our planet has a unique electromagnetic field that performs a protective function. However, microparticles, which at the moment of approaching the Earth are located perpendicular to its surface, are able to penetrate even into the deep layers of the globe. As a result of this process, the reaction of the earth magnetic field, which changes its characteristics many times over a short period. This phenomenon is called a magnetic storm.
What is weather dependence? If you feel unwell for no apparent reason, do not rush to the doctors, wait an hour or two. Perhaps you have become hostage to a magnetic storm caused by a sudden change in the weather. Check out the forecast to be sure. magnetic storms for 3 days. Weather changes include atmospheric pressure, temperature and degree of air humidity, as well as the background of geomagnetic radiation. As for atmospheric pressure, it is the main factor in the development of meteorological dependence. Those who do not particularly respond to changes in the weather are called meteostable. This means that there are no serious malfunctions in the work of internal organs and systems in these "lucky ones". Their body is in excellent shape, easily adapting to sudden atmospheric changes. Thus, certain painful reactions of the body are dependent on meteorological indicators.
Attention! You have the opportunity to find out if magnetic storms are expected online today. To do this, use a graph that allows you to produce online monitoring weather indicators indicating the imminent onset of a geomagnetic storm.
Magnetic storms forecast for today and tomorrow: online monitoring
- 0 - 1 point- there is no magnetic storm.
- 2 -3 points- a weak magnetic storm, does not affect well-being.
- 4 - 5 points- medium magnetic storm, slight malaise is possible.
- 6 -7 points- a strong magnetic storm, weather-dependent people should take care of their health.
- 8 - 9 points - very strong magnetic storm: headaches, nausea, increased blood pressure are likely.
- 10 points - extreme magnetic storm: it is best to spend the day at home, it is dangerous to drive.
The effect of magnetic storms on well-being
The most typical reactions to weather changes are headaches and increased heart rate. These manifestations may be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- increase in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- weakness in the whole body;
- tremor of the limbs;
- insomnia;
- decrease in activity;
- increased fatigue.
People can feel the approach of a geomagnetic storm in a few days. The resulting malaise, in addition to the listed symptoms, is also explained by the fact that during a storm there is a thickening of the blood. This interferes with the normal oxygen exchange in the body. Hence the breakdown, ringing in the ears and dizziness.
Why is it important for weather-dependent people to track the forecast of magnetic storms? People who are weather sensitive are strongly advised by doctors to study the schedule of magnetic storms for tomorrow. Of course, tracking the forecast for several weeks in advance would be an ideal option, since sudden changes in meteorological parameters have a direct impact on the functionality of the body. Jumps in blood pressure upwards are considered the most dangerous reaction to magnetic storms. After all, this condition can cause hemorrhage in the brain. Those who do not suffer from serious illnesses should not worry. The risk group includes people with pathologies of the heart, blood vessels and organs of the respiratory system.
How to prevent the onset of "weather" malaise? Prevention of the occurrence of malaise as a result of exposure to magnetic storms is very important. On the eve of meteorological "surprises", in order to avoid manifestations of meteosensitivity or at least weaken them, you need to take appropriate medications.
What weaken the effect of magnetic storms on the body? These questions should be answered by your doctor, who is familiar with the characteristics of your body. Important! When prescribing a drug, a specialist must take into account the clinical picture, as well as the dynamics of your chronic diseases. Do not take any drugs that can lead to significant changes in the functioning of the body, unless prescribed by a specialized doctor.
The geomagnetic field (GP) is generated by sources located in both the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. It protects the planet and life on it from the harmful effects. Its presence was observed by everyone who held the compass and saw how one end of the arrow points to the south, and the other to the north. Thanks to the magnetosphere, great discoveries in physics were made, and until now its presence is used for marine, underwater, aviation and space navigation.
general characteristics
Our planet is a huge magnet. Its north pole is located in the "upper" part of the Earth, not far from the geographic pole, and its south pole is near the corresponding geographic pole. From these points, forces extend into space for many thousands of kilometers. magnetic lines that make up the magnetosphere itself.
The magnetic and geographic poles are quite distant from each other. If you draw a clear line between the magnetic poles, as a result, you can get a magnetic axis with an angle of inclination of 11.3 ° to the axis of rotation. This value is not constant, and all because the magnetic poles move relative to the surface of the planet, annually changing their location.
The nature of the geomagnetic field
Magnetic shield is generated electric currents(moving charges), which are born in the outer liquid core, located inside the Earth at a very decent depth. It's a fluid metal, and it moves. This process is called convection. The moving substance of the nucleus forms currents and, as a consequence, magnetic fields.
The magnetic shield reliably protects the Earth from its main source - the solar wind - the movement of ionized particles flowing from the magnetosphere deflects this continuous flow, redirecting it around the Earth, so that hard radiation does not have a detrimental effect on all life on the blue planet.
If the Earth did not have a geomagnetic field, then the solar wind would deprive it of its atmosphere. According to one hypothesis, this is exactly what happened on Mars. The solar wind is far from the only threat, as the Sun also releases a large number of matter and energy in the form of coronal ejections, accompanied by a strong flow of radioactive particles. However, in these cases, the Earth's magnetic field protects it by deflecting these currents from the planet.
The magnetic shield reverses its poles approximately once every 250,000 years. The north magnetic pole takes the place of the north, and vice versa. Scientists have no clear explanation why this happens.
Research History
Acquaintance of people with the amazing properties of terrestrial magnetism occurred at the dawn of civilization. Already in antiquity, magnetic iron ore, magnetite, was known to mankind. However, who and when revealed that natural magnets are equally oriented in space in relation to the geographic poles of the planet is unknown. According to one version, the Chinese were already familiar with this phenomenon in 1100, but they began to use it in practice only two centuries later. IN Western Europe magnetic compass began to be used in navigation in 1187.
Structure and characteristics
The Earth's magnetic field can be divided into:
- the main magnetic field (95%), the sources of which are located in the outer, conductive core of the planet;
- anomalous magnetic field (4%) created by rocks in the upper layer of the Earth with good magnetic susceptibility (one of the most powerful is the Kursk magnetic anomaly);
- external magnetic field (also called variable, 1%) associated with solar-terrestrial interactions.
Regular geomagnetic variations
Changes in the geomagnetic field over time under the influence of both internal and external (in relation to the surface of the planet) sources are called magnetic variations. They are characterized by the deviation of the GP components from the average value at the place of observation. Magnetic variations have a continuous restructuring in time, and often such changes are periodic.
Regular variations that repeat daily are changes in the magnetic field associated with solar- and lunar-diurnal changes in the MS intensity. Variations reach a maximum during the day and at lunar opposition.
Irregular geomagnetic variations
These changes arise as a result of the influence of the solar wind on the Earth's magnetosphere, changes within the magnetosphere itself and its interaction with the ionized upper atmosphere.
- Twenty-seven-day variations exist as a regularity for the re-growth of magnetic disturbance every 27 days, corresponding to the period of rotation of the main celestial body relative to the earthly observer. This trend is due to the existence of long-lived active regions on our home star, observed during several of its revolutions. It manifests itself in the form of a 27-day recurrence of geomagnetic disturbances and
- Eleven-year variations are associated with the frequency of sunspot-forming activity. It was found that during the years of the greatest accumulation of dark areas on the solar disk, magnetic activity also reaches its maximum, but the growth of geomagnetic activity lags behind the growth of the solar one, on average, by a year.
- Seasonal variations have two maxima and two minima, corresponding to the periods of the equinoxes and the time of the solstice.
- Secular, in contrast to the above, - of external origin, are formed as a result of the movement of matter and wave processes in the liquid electrically conductive core of the planet and are the main source of information about the electrical conductivity of the lower mantle and core, about the physical processes leading to the convection of matter, as well as about the mechanism generation of the Earth's geomagnetic field. These are the slowest variations - with periods ranging from several years to a year.
The influence of the magnetic field on the living world
Despite the fact that the magnetic screen cannot be seen, the inhabitants of the planet feel it perfectly. Eg, migratory birds build your route, focusing on it. Scientists put forward several hypotheses regarding this phenomenon. One of them suggests that birds perceive it visually. In the eyes of migratory birds there are special proteins (cryptochromes) that are able to change their position under the influence of the geomagnetic field. The authors of this hypothesis are sure that cryptochromes can act as a compass. However, not only birds, but also sea turtles use the magnetic screen as a GPS navigator.
The impact of a magnetic screen on a person
The influence of the geomagnetic field on a person is fundamentally different from any other, whether it be radiation or dangerous current because it affects the human body completely.
Scientists believe that the geomagnetic field operates in an ultra-low frequency range, as a result of which it responds to the main physiological rhythms: respiratory, cardiac and brain. A person may not feel anything, but the body still reacts to it with functional changes in the nervous, cardiovascular systems and brain activity. Psychiatrists have been tracking the relationship between bursts of geomagnetic field intensity and exacerbation of mental illnesses, often leading to suicide, for many years.
"Indexing" geomagnetic activity
Magnetic field disturbances associated with changes in the magnetospheric-ionospheric current system are called geomagnetic activity (GA). To determine its level, two indices are used - A and K. The latter shows the value of GA. It is calculated from magnetic shield measurements taken every day at three-hour intervals, starting at 00:00 UTC (Universal Time Coordinated). The highest indicators of magnetic disturbance are compared with the values of the geomagnetic field of a quiet day for a certain scientific institution, while the maximum values of the observed deviations are taken into account.
Based on the obtained data, the index K is calculated. Due to the fact that it is a quasi-logarithmic value (i.e., it increases by one with an increase in disturbance by about 2 times), it cannot be averaged in order to obtain a long-term historical picture of the state of the planet's geomagnetic field. To do this, there is an index A, which is a daily average. It is determined quite simply - each dimension of the index K is converted into an equivalent index. The K values obtained throughout the day are averaged, thanks to which it is possible to obtain the A index, the value of which on ordinary days does not exceed the threshold of 100, and during the period of the most serious magnetic storms it can exceed 200.
Since disturbances of the geomagnetic field in different points planets appear differently, then the values of the A index from different scientific sources can differ markedly. In order to avoid such a run-up, the indices A obtained by the observatories are reduced to the average and the global index A p appears. The same is true for the K p index, which is a fractional value in the range 0-9. Its value from 0 to 1 indicates that the geomagnetic field is normal, which means that optimal conditions for passing in the shortwave bands are preserved. Of course, subject to a fairly intense flow of solar radiation. A geomagnetic field of 2 points is characterized as a moderate magnetic disturbance, which slightly complicates the passage of decimeter waves. Values from 5 to 7 indicate the presence of geomagnetic storms that create serious interference with the mentioned range, and with a strong storm (8-9 points) make the passage of short waves impossible.
Impact of magnetic storms on human health
The negative effects of magnetic storms affect 50-70% of the world's population. At the same time, the onset of a stress reaction in some people is noted 1-2 days before a magnetic disturbance, when solar flares are observed. For others - at the very peak or some time after excessive geomagnetic activity.
Metoaddicts, as well as those who suffer from chronic diseases, need to track information about the geomagnetic field for a week in order to exclude physical and emotional stress, as well as any actions and events that can lead to stress, if magnetic storms are approaching.
Magnetic field deficiency syndrome
The weakening of the geomagnetic field in the premises (hypogeomagnetic field) occurs due to the design features of various buildings, wall materials, as well as magnetized structures. When you are in a room with a weakened GP, blood circulation is disturbed, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. The weakening of the magnetic shield also affects the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, skeletal and muscular systems.
The Japanese doctor Nakagawa called this phenomenon "human magnetic field deficiency syndrome." In its significance, this concept may well compete with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
The main symptoms indicating the presence of this syndrome are:
- increased fatigue;
- decrease in working capacity;
- insomnia;
- headache and joint pain;
- hypo- and hypertension;
- disruptions in the digestive system;
- disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system.
Geomagnetic À, K, and Kp indices.
Regular daily variations in the magnetic field are mainly created by changes in currents in the Earth's ionosphere due to changes in the illumination of the ionosphere by the Sun during the day. Irregular variations in the magnetic field are created due to the impact of the solar plasma flow (solar wind) on the Earth's magnetosphere, changes within the magnetosphere, and the interaction of the magnetosphere and ionosphere
.Geomagnetic activity indices are intended to describe variations in the Earth's magnetic field caused by these irregular causes. The K-index is a quasi-logarithmic (increases by one with an approximately twofold increase in disturbance) index calculated from the data of a particular observatory over a three-hour time interval. The index was introduced by J. Bartels in 1938 and represents values from 0 to 9 for each three-hour interval (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, etc.) of world time. To calculate the index, the change in the magnetic field is taken over a three-hour interval, the regular part, determined by calm days, is subtracted from it, and the resulting value is converted into the K-index using a special table.
Since magnetic disturbances manifest themselves differently in different places on the globe, each observatory has its own table, constructed in such a way that different observatories, on average, give the same indices over a long time interval.
For the Moscow observatory, this table is given as follows:
Variations | ||||||||||
Ap is a linear index (an increase in perturbation by several times gives the same increase in the index) and in many cases the use of the Ap index makes more physical sense.
Qualitatively, the state of the magnetic field depending on the Kp index can be approximately characterized as follows:
Planetary Kp and Ap indices have been available since 1932 and can be obtained on request via FTP from
Forecast of magnetic storms on the Sun online
Scheme of the formation of a magnetic storm
The graph below shows the geomagnetic disturbance index. This index determines the level of magnetic storms.
The larger it is, the stronger the disturbance. The graph is updated automatically every 15 minutes. Time is Moscow
Kp< 2 - спокойное;
Kp = 2, 3 - weakly perturbed;
Kp = 4 - perturbed;
Kp = 5, 6 - magnetic storm;
Magnetic storm level G1 (weak) from 06:00 to 09:00 Moscow time
Magnetic storm level G1 (weak) from 09:00 to 12:00 Moscow time
A magnetic storm is a disturbance in the magnetic field of our planet. This a natural phenomenon usually last from several hours to a day or more.
Map of auroral visibility latitudes versus Kp index
Where can you see the aurora now?
You can watch the aurora borealis online here
Forecast of magnetic storms for 27 days
From March 28, 2017 to April 23, 2017, the following magnetic storms and magnetospheric disturbances are possible:
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 5 storm
24-hr max: Kp= 5 storm
Auroras Taken by Sacha Layos on March 26, 2017 @ Fairbanks, AK
SUNSPOT GENESIS: A large sunspot is growing in the sun "s northern hemisphere. Only 24 hours ago it didn't exist, now the active region sprawls across more than 70,000 km of solar "terrain" and contains at least two dark cores as large as Earth. Watch this movie of sunspot genesis. http://spaceweather.com/images2017/26mar17/genesis...SID=15h6i0skvioc83feg5delj5a45
speed: 535.4 km/sec
density: 25.2 protons/cm3
POTENT CORONAL HOLE FACES EARTH!!!
A fast-moving stream of solar wind flowing from the indicated coronal hole could reach Earth as early as March 27th (although the 28th is more likely).
This is a "coronal hole" (CH) -- a vast region where the sun's magnetic field opens up and allows solar wind to escape. A gaseous stream flowing from this coronal hole is expected to reach our planet on during the late hours of March 27th and could spark moderately-strong G2-class geomagnetic storms around the poles on March 28th or 29th.
We "ve seen this coronal hole before. In early March, it lashed Earth"s magnetic field with a fast-moving stream that sparked several consecutive days of intense auroras around the poles. The coronal hole is potent because it is spewing solar wind threaded with "negative polarity" magnetic fields. Such fields do a good job connecting to Earth's magnetosphere and energizing geomagnetic storms.
Promising start, right? Admire!
Auroras Taken by B.Art Braafhart on March 27, 2017 @ Salla, Finnish Lapland
Aurora Taken by John Dean on March 27, 2017 @ Nome, Alaska