Red-hot plasma is on the way to our planet. It will reach Earth at about 6 p.m. MSK, scientists said. The Earth's magnetic field will protect the planet - the power of the storm will thus be moderate. However, it may cause malfunctions in the work of satellites and other systems of communication. The storm will not pose any danger to the crew of the International Space Station.
NASA observes the solar activity with the help of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Vesti.Ru reports.
The data received from SOHO and STEREO observatories said that the flow of plasma would strike a strong blow on the magnetic field of the Earth in the area of the North Pole on January 24-25, NASA officials said.
Experts from Russia's EMERCOM earlier predicted the further increase of the solar activity in 2012. Eight strong magnetic storms may occur this year. "Separate periods of high solar activity are likely to occur in the first half of 2012. A large number of powerful solar flares, including proton flares, may occur," officials with the ministry said.