Scientist Bogachyov explained whether the aurora borealis can affect people's well-being.

      October 1, 2025 18:33 Society

      At the end of September 2025, residents of Russia observed a vivid aurora caused by a powerful solar flare. The phenomenon could be seen in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, the Nizhny Novgorod, Sverdlovsk, Omsk, Yaroslavl, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk oblasts, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. Astronomers also suggest that the display may become even more impressive in the coming days.

      The aurora is the glow of the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere that arises from the interaction of solar activity with our planet. It occurs when streams of charged particles — high-energy protons and electrons — are ejected from the depths of the Sun. When these particles reach the Earth's atmosphere, they interact with air molecules, causing them to become excited and subsequently emit light.

      "When these particles collide with the atmosphere, it heats up and begins to glow. This happens at an altitude of about 100 kilometers," Sergey Bogachyov, head of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explained to the TV channel 360.

      The auroral glow can take on different colors, creating impressive visual effects.

      The aurora itself is completely safe for people and equipment, the scientist reassured. "The aurora is purely an optical phenomenon, and there is no need to fear it," he emphasized.

      However, increased solar activity can lead to geomagnetic storms on Earth, which can affect both people's well-being and the operation of equipment. Thus, on Tuesday, September 30, the planet was hit by a moderate geomagnetic storm that lasted more than a day.

      The aurora can be seen with the naked eye, but for the best effect it is recommended to use cameras or mobile phones, as they are more sensitive to light and can therefore capture brighter and clearer images, Sergey Bogachyov noted.

      Earlier it was reported that strong magnetic storms would trouble residents of Nizhny Novgorod in the first half of October.

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