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.

Massive Explosion on the Sun

Source - Space Weather News for April 19, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

OLD SUNSPOT RETURNS, EXPLODES: Old sunspot AR2644 has returned following a 2-week trip around the backside of the sun--and it is still active. During the late hours of April 18th, the sunspot's magnetic canopy exploded, producing a C5-class solar flare and hurling a spectacularly bright coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. The massive cloud of hot plasma will almost certainly miss Earth, but future explosions could be geoeffective as the sunspot turns toward our planet. Visit  Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

CHANCE OF MAGNETIC STORMS: NOAA forecasters estimate a 50% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on April 19th and 20th when a high-speed stream of solar wind is due to reach our planet. This could spark bright Northern Lights in the waxing spring twilight around the Arctic Circle. Monitor the aurora gallery for sightings.

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.

Solar flare and Earth-directed CME

Source - Space Weather News for Dec. 28, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR FLARE AND CME: Big sunspot AR2473 erupted on Dec. 28th, producing an M1.9-class solar flare, a minor radio blackout in the southern hemisphere, and a coronal mass ejection (CME) that appears to be heading directly for Earth.  This explosion sets the stage for possible geomagnetic storms later this week when the CME reaches our planet.  Visit Spaceweather.com for more information.

POLAR STRATOSPHERIC CLOUDS: For the second time this month, Arctic sky watchers are reporting a rare outbreak of super-colorful polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs).  Photos and observing tips are featured on today's edition of Spaceweather.com

Long-duration Solar Flare

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 9, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

This morning (Sept. 9th at 00:30 UT) the magnetic canopy of sunspot AR2158 erupted, producing a long-duration solar flare and a bright CME.  The CME, which billowed away from the sun at nearly 1,000 km/s,  has an Earth-directed component.  A glancing blow is possible during the late hours of Sept. 11/early hours of Sept. 12.  High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when the storm cloud arrives. 

Check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

CME Strike Produces Auroras Seen from Space

Source - Space Weather News for August 20, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

A minor CME hit Earth's magnetic field during the early hours of August 19th.  At first, the weak impact did little to stir geomagnetic activity, but a geomagnetic storm has since developed as Earth passes through the wake of the solar storm cloud.  Astronauts on the ISS report a gorgeous display of auroras seen from Earth orbit.  Updates and photos may be found on http://spaceweather.com

AURORA ALERTS are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Carrington-class CME Narrowly Misses Earth

Source - NASA Science News for May 2, 2014

Two years ago, an intense solar storm narrowly missed Earth. If it had hit, researchers say, we could still be picking up the pieces.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/02may_superstorm/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ukQhycKOFw



License: Standard YouTube License

Huge Sunspot Erupts

Source - Space Weather News for Jan. 7, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

STRONG SOLAR ACTIVITY:  One of the largest sunspots in years, AR1944, has turned toward  Earth and it is crackling with strong flares.  So far on Jan. 7th, the active region has produced M7- and X1-class eruptions, and more appear to be in the offing.  As this alert is being issued, analysts are waiting for more data from solar observatories to clarify the possibility of CME impacts and geomagnetic storms in the days ahead.

For updates, stay tuned to: http://spaceweather.com.

SOLAR FLARE ALERTS:  Would you like a call the next time sunspot AR1944 erupts? X-flare alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Magnificent Eruption on the Sun

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 30, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

MAGNIFICENT ERUPTION: On Sept. 29th, a long filament of magnetism in the sun's northern hemisphere erupted, producing a magnificent CME and several must-see movies from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.  Although the CME was not aimed at Earth, our planet might receive a glancing blow from the cloud on Oct. 2-3.  Check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

CME Strike on May 24th

Source - Space Weather News for May 24, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

CME STRIKE: As expected, a CME hit Earth's magnetic field on May 24th around 1800 UT. It was just a glancing blow. Nevertheless, the impact could spark polar geomagnetic storms in the hours ahead. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras shining through the bright moonlight on May 24-25.

Check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Incoming Solar Storm - April 13th

Source - Space Weather News for April 11, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

INCOMING SOLAR STORM: A strong M6-class solar flare on April 11th has hurled a CME toward Earth.  Geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras are possible when the fast-moving cloud reaches our planet on April 13th.  Visit http://spaceweather.com for updates.

DON'T MISS THE STORM:  Would you like a call when the geomagnetic storm is underway?  Aurora and solar flare alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Draconid Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 7, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

DRACONID METEOR WATCH: Earth is about to pass through a stream of debris from comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, source of the annual Draconid meteor shower.  Last year, Europeans witnessed a faint but furious outburst of 600 meteors per hour when the shower peaked.  No such display is expected this year, but the Draconids are notoriously unpredictable.  Northern-hemisphere sky watchers should be alert for slow-moving meteors emerging from the head of the constellation Draco the Dragon (not far from the North Star) on Sunday night, Oct 7th, through Monday morning Oct. 8th. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

INCOMING CME:  A coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading for Earth.  The incoming cloud is expected to deliver a glancing blow to our planet's magnetosphere on October 8th, possibly sparking auroras at high latitudes.  Would you like a phone call when the CME arrives?  Geomagnetic storm alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Don't just watch meteors, wear them.  Authentic meteorite jewelry is available in the Space Weather Store:  http://www.shopspaceweather.com

CME Impact Sparks Geomagnetic Storm

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 1, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

CME IMPACT: A coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field on Sept. 30th.  At first, the impact was weak and produced little effect, but now (the early hours of Oct. 1st) moderately-strong geomagnetic storms are brewing in the CME's wake.  High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras, especially during the hours around local midnight.  Glare from the Harvest Moon will reduce visibility. Check http://spaceweather.com for photos and updates.

AURORA ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are underway? Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

CME Impact on Sept. 3rd

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 3, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

CME IMPACT: As expected, a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field on Sept. 3rd at approximately 1200 UT (5 am PDT).  The impact induced measurable ground currents in the soil of northern Scandinavia and sparked bright auroras around the Arctic Circle.  At the time this alert is being issued, a moderately strong (Kp=6) geomagnetic storm is underway.  Check http://spaceweather.com for photos and updates.

STORM ALERTS:  Subscribers to our Space Weather Alert service were alerted by phone when the CME hit and when the subsequent storm began.  You can sign up for alerts at http://spaceweathertext.com (text) or http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Double CME Hits Earth, Sparks Auroras

Source - Space Weather News for June 17, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

As predicted, a double CME hit Earth's magnetic field on June 16th.  The impact strongly compressed Earth's magnetosphere, exposing geosynchronous satellites to solar wind plasma and sparking more than 24 hours of geomagnetic storms.  (The storms are still in progress as this alert is being written during the middle hours of June 17th.) In the United States, Northern Lights have descended as far south as Wisconsin, Washington, Minnesota, and the Dakotas.  Southern hemisphere observers are also reporting colorful aurora australis.  Check http://spaceweather.com for photos and updates.

AURORA ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are underway? Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Double CME Targets Earth

Source - Space Weather News for June 14, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

DOUBLE CME:  Active sunspot AR1504 is facing Earth and hurling coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in our direction.  A fast-moving CME that left the sun on June 14th is expected to scoop up another CME already en route and deliver a double-blow to Earth's magnetic field on June 16th.  Weak-to-moderate geomagnetic storms are possible when the clouds arrive.  Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

AURORA ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are underway? Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Spectacular Explosion on the Sun

Source - Space Weather News for April 16, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

SPECTACULAR EXPLOSION: On April 16th around 17:45 UT, magnetic fields curling over the sun's northeastern limb rose up and erupted, producing one of the most visually-spectacular explosions in years. The event, which also produced an M1.7-class solar flare and a coronal mass ejection, was not Earth-directed. Nevertheless, it confirms suspicions that a significant active region is rotating onto the Earth-side of the sun. Visit http://spaceweather.com for movies and updates.

SOLAR FLARE ALERTS: Would you like a call when sunspots erupt? Solar flare alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

CME Impact on Oct. 24

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 24, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

CME IMPACT: A coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field on Oct. 24th around 1800 UT (2 pm EDT). The impact strongly compressed our planet's magnetosphere and may have exposed geosynchronous satellites to solar wind plasma. Mild to moderate geomagnetic storms are possible in the hours ahead as Earth's magnetic field continues to reverberate from the hit. Sky watchers in Scandinavia, Canada, and northern-tier US States should be alert for auroras, especially during the hours around local midnight. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

WOULD YOU LIKE A CALL when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Storm alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Strong Geomagnetic Storm on Sept. 26

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 26, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A strong geomagnetic storm is in progress following the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) today, Sept. 26th, at approximately 12:15 UT. Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab report a "strong compression of Earth's magnetosphere" and the possibility that satellites in geosynchronous orbit have been exposed to solar wind plasma and magnetic fields. Mid- to high-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall. Observing tip: The hours around local midnight are usually best for spotting Northern and Southern Lights. Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

DON'T MISS THE STORM: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Storm alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Geomagnetic storm in progress on Sept. 9th

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 9. 2011: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A strong geomagnetic storm (Kp=7) is in progress following the impact of a CME during the middle hours of the day on Sept. 9th. This could be the first of several hits from a series of CMEs expected to reach Earth during the weekend. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall. (Observing tip: The hours around midnight are often best for aurora sightings.) Check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Storm alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).