Geomagnetic Storms Likely This Week

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 23, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORMS PREDICTED (G2-CLASS): A large hole has opened in the sun's atmosphere, and it is spewing a stream of solar wind toward Earth. Estimated time of arrival: Oct. 24th. First contact with the gaseous material is expected to produce minor G1-class geomagnetic storms, intensifying to moderately strong G2-class storms on Oct. 25th as Earth moves deeper into the stream. Arctic sky watchers can expect to witness bright auroras. The lights could descend to lower latitudes as well, with sightings in northern-tier US states along a line from Maine to Washington.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates

Above: A gaseous canyon more than 700,000 km long cleaves the face of the sun. This image, based on data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows the jagged structure directly facing Earth on Oct. 22nd.

Spotless Sun Sparks Bright Auroras

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 16, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

SPOTLESS SUN SPARKS BRIGHT AURORAS: The sun is sliding into a deep Solar Minimum that continues to defy some expectations. For much of the past week, the sun was absolutely blank--no sunspots--and solar activity was deemed "very low." Nevertheless, space weather was stormy. From Oct. 11th through 15th, not a single day went by without a geomagnetic storm. Bright auroras were sighted not only around the poles, but also in a number of US states. The reason for these counterintuitive space storms is explained on today's edition of Spaceweather.com--along with expectations for more in the days ahead.

Above: On Oct. 12, 2017, the sky above Tromsø, Norway, exploded in a spray of geomagnetic light. Colin Palmer photographed these bright green auroras from the island of Kvaloya. More images may be found in the Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery. 

Geomagnetic Storm in Progress (G1-class)

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 11, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

POLAR GEOMAGNETIC STORMS: A hole in the sun's atmosphere is spewing solar wind toward Earth, and this is sparking bright auroras around the poles on Oct. 11th. At the time of this alert, a G1-class geomagnetic storm is underway. NOAA forecasters estimate a 70% chance of continued storms at high latitudes on Oct. 12th and 13th as Earth moves deeper into the solar wind stream.

Visit Spaceweather.com for pictures and updated forecasts.

Above: During the early hours of Oct. 11th, bright auroras wowed air travelers flying near the Arctic Circle. Marc Swanson photographed the display from the window seat of a commercial flight from Denver to Reykavik. More images may be found in the Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery. 

Geomagnetic Storm Predicted (G2-class)

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 27, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM PREDICTED: NOAA forecasters say there is a 65% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on Sept. 27th, increasing to 80% on Sept. 28th, as a stream of high-speed solar wind buffets our planet's magnetic field.  Isolated periods of moderate G2-class storming could spark Northern Lights in US states as far south as, e.g., New York, Idaho and Washington.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Above: Auroras over Troms county, Norway, on Sept. 24th. Photo credit: Horia Bogda. Browse the Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery for the latest sightings.

Geomagnetic Storm Warning

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 7, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: A CME has just hit Earth's magnetic field (Sept. 7th at ~2300 UT). This is the debris from Wednesday's decade-class X9 solar flare. It arrived earlier than expected, confirming that the solar storm cloud is both fast and potent. The CME appears to contain strong south-pointing magnetic fields that typically do a good job of igniting geomagnetic storms. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras in bright moonlight.

Visit Spaceweather.com for updates and more information about this developing event

Above: An outburst of Northern Lights over Tromso, Norway, on Sept. 5th (photo credit: Tom Arne Moldenaes). Tonight's display should be even better as Earth passes through the wake of a potent CME.  Monitor the Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery for sightings.

Geomagnetic Storm Watch (G1-class)

Source - Space Weather News for August 30, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN THE OFFING: A canyon-shaped hole has opened in the sun's atmosphere, and it is spewing a stream of high-speed solar wind toward Earth. NOAA forecasters say there is a 30% chance of polar geomagnetic storms (G1-class) when the gaseous material reaches our planet on August 31st. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras this Thursday and Friday.

Visit Spaceweather.com for photos and updates

Image Information: This canyon-shaped "coronal hole" is a region in the sun's atmosphere where the sun's magnetic field has opened up, allowing solar wind to escape.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Spaceweather.com 

CME Strike Sparks Geomagnetic Storms

Source - Space Weather News for July 16, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

CME STRIKE SPARKS GEOMAGNETIC STORMS: Geomagnetic storms are underway on July 16th following a CME strike at 0545 UT. Auroras have been sighted in New Zealand as well as US states such as Washington and Wyoming. G1-class storms happening now could intensity to G2-class in the hours ahead as Earth moves into the CME's magnetized wake.

Visit Spaceweather.com for images and updates

Above: Auroras over Hoopers Inlet, Otago, New Zealand, on July 16, 2017. 

Photo credit: Ian Griffin

A Hole in the Sun's Atmosphere Turns Toward Earth

Source - Space Weather News for June 14, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

A HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE: Spewing a stream of solar wind as fast as 700 km/s (1.6 million mph), a hole in the sun's atmosphere is turning toward Earth. Forecasters expect the stream to reach our planet on June 15th or 16th with a 40% chance of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms when it arrives.  High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras in the nights ahead, especially in the southern hemisphere where deepening autumn darkness favors visibility.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Anthropogenic Space Weather

Source - Space Weather News for May 18, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

ANTHROPOGENIC SPACE WEATHER: A new study just published in the journal Space Science Reviews outlines some of the surprising ways human activity can affect space weather. A key example involves VLF radio waves, which are used to communicate with submarines. These waves have formed an unintentional bubble around our planet, clearing out "killer electrons" from Earth's radiation belts. Learn more on today's edition of Spaceweather.com.

SOLAR WIND STORM PREDICTED: The solar wind around Earth is about to speed up. Velocities could top 700 km/s on May 19th when a stream of gaseous material flowing from a hole the sun's atmosphere reaches our planet. G2-class geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras are possible on May 19th and 20th. Stay tuned to Spaceweather.com for updates.

Geomagnetic Storm Watch (G2-class)

Source - Space Weather News for May 15, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: NOAA forecasters say there is a 40% chance of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms on May 16th as Earth enters a stream of solar wind flowing from a hole in the sun's atmosphere. The storm could intensify to G2-class (moderately strong) on May 17th when an incoming CME is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras, especially in the southern hemisphere where deepening autumn darkness favors visibility.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Geomagnetic Storms Continue

Source - Space Weather News for April 23, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORMS CONTINUE: Following on the heels of Saturday's unexpected CME impact, our planet is now moving into a stream of high speed (700 km/s) solar wind. This is re-energizing geomagnetic activity around Earth's poles. NOAA forecasters say there is an 80% chance of geomagnetic storms on April 23rd subsiding to 'only' 60% to 65% on April 24th and 25th. High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras in the nights ahead. In the USA, Northern Lights might be seen and photographed in northern-tier states from Washington to Maine. Southern Lights are also being reported by observers in high-latitude regions of New Zealand.

Visit  Spaceweather.com for photos and updates.

Surprise! Earth Day Aurora Storm

Source - Space Weather News for April 22, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

EARTH DAY AURORA STORM: Last night, Northern Lights descended into the United States as far south as Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington, kicking off an unexpected display of bright auroras for Earth Day. What happened?  A CME that was supposed to miss Earth apparently hit instead, surprising forecasters. Geomagnetic storms are still underway as April 22nd unfolds; high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for midnight auroras on April 22-23. Visit  Spaceweather.com for updates.

WEEKEND METEOR SHOWER: The auroras tonight may be spiced by an occasional flash of light.  Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Dark sky observers could see 10 to 20 shooting stars per hour shooting out of the constellation Lyra.  Sky maps and observing tips @ Spaceweather.com.

Easter Storm? A CME Might Sideswipe Earth This Weekend

Source - Space Weather News for April 12, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GLANCING-BLOW CME: A magnetic filament on the sun exploded on April 9th, hurling a gaseous coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. The bulk of the CME will miss Earth; nevertheless a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field is possible this weekend. The impact, if it occurs, could cause magnetic disturbances and auroras around our planet's poles.

Visit today's edition of Spaceweather.com to view a movie of the instigating explosion and for updates as the CME approaches.

Geomagnetic Storms Underway (G2-class)

Source - Space Weather News for March 27, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: As predicted, a stream of solar wind enveloped Earth's magnetic field on March 27th. First contact produced a moderately-strong G2-class geomagnetic storm, with bright auroras around both poles and electrical ground currents detected in the Arctic. More storming is likely during the next 48 hours as Earth moves deeper into the stream and the solar wind pressure intensifies.

Visit Spaceweather.com for current conditions and updates.

Geomagnetic Storm Watch (G2-class)

Source - Space Weather News for March 25, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: A large canyon-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere is facing Earth and spewing a stream of solar wind toward our planet. Estimated time of arrival: 2 to 3 days from now. This has prompted NOAA forecasters to issue a geomagnetic storm watch for March 28th when storm levels could reach category G2--that is, moderately strong. Auroras could descend from the Arctic Circle to northern-tier US states from New York to Wisconsin to Washington.

Visit Spaceweather.com to learn more about the incoming solar wind stream and what makes it so potent.

Solar Wind Arrives Early

Source - Space Weather News for March 21, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR WIND ARRIVES EARLY: Arriving a day earlier than expected, a stream of fast-moving solar wind is buffeting Earth's magnetic field today. The broad stream is expected to influence our planet for the next three days with a 60% chance of polar geomagnetic storms between now and March 23rd. Arctic sky watchers should be alert for auroras in the waxing Spring twilight.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Geomagnetic Storm in Progress

Source - Space Weather News for March 1, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A G1-class polar geomagnetic storm is in progress on March 1st as Earth enters a fast-moving stream of solar wind.  This is sparking bright auroras around the Arctic Circle. The solar wind is flowing from a large canyon-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere and is expected to influence Earth for the next two days.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Solar Wind Advisory

Source - Space Weather News for Feb. 22, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR WIND ADVISORY: Earth is about to enter a stream of solar wind flowing from a hole in the sun's atmosphere. NOAA forecasters estimate a 60% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on Feb. 23rd as the solar wind speed quickens to 550 km/s or more. Arctic sky watchers should be alert for auroras on Thursday and Friday nights. Updates and sightings @ Spaceweather.com

AURORA ROCKET LAUNCH: On Feb. 22nd, researchers from Dartmouth College launched a rocket directly into auroras dancing above Alaska. See the launch and find out why they did it on today's edition of Spaceweather.com.

Sunspot Surprise

Source - Space Weather News for Jan. 25, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

SUNSPOT SURPRISE: Barely visible only 24 hours ago, a new sunspot group big enough to swallow Earth is bubbling up through the solar surface. So far the active region poses no threat for strong solar flares, but this could change if its rapid growth continues. Visit today's edition of Spaceweather.com to view a movie of sunspot genesis, and to learn how this development fits in with the recent "crash" of the sunspot cycle.

HIGH-LATITUDE AURORA WATCH: A hole in the sun's atmosphere is spewing a stream of solar wind toward Earth. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when the stream arrives on Jan. 27-28. Monitor the realtimeaurora gallery for sightings.

High-latitude Aurora Alert

Source - Space Weather News for Jan. 17, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

HIGH-LATITUDE AURORA ALERT: A large crescent-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere is facing Earth, and it is spewing a stream of high-speed solar wind. NOAA forecasters say there is a 70% chance of polar geomagnetic storms when the solar wind arrives, probably on Jan. 18th. Sky watchers around the Arctic Circle can expect bright auroras in the nights ahead. 

Learn more on today's edition of Spaceweather.com