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.

Surprisingly Strong Geomagnetic Storm Sparks Auroras over the USA

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 28, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

SURPRISINGLY STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM: Knowing that a solar wind stream was heading for Earth, forecasters predicted a geomagnetic storm last night. However, they didn't predict it would be so strong, a G3-class event. During the peak of this surprising space storm, Northern Lights spilled over the Canadian border into more than half a dozen US states.

Visit Spaceweather.com for pictures of the display and updates as the solar wind continues to blow.

Above: Auroras over Fairbanks, Alaska, on Sept. 28, 2017. "Indescribable!" says photographer Sacha Layos. "Truly one of the best shows I've ever seen." Browse the Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery for more sightings.

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.

Solar Wind Stream Sparks Geomagnetic Storm (G2-class)

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

SOLAR WIND SPARKS GEOMAGNETIC STORM: Earth is entering a stream of high-speed solar wind flowing from a hole in the sun's atmosphere. First contact with the stream on Sept. 14th produced a moderately strong (G2-class) geomagnetic storm, ongoing at the time of this alert. If the storm continues, high-latitude sky watchers could see auroras after local nightfall on Sept. 14/15.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Above: Spaceweather.com reader Glen Wurden witnessed the onset of today's solar wind stream from the window seat of an airplane flying over Greenland. Monitor the RealtimeAurora Photo Gallery for more 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 

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 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.

Strong Geomagnetic Storm Underway on Oct. 25th

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 25, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A strong "G3-class" geomagnetic storm is underway on Oct. 25th as Earth enters a fast-moving stream of solar wind. The arrival of the solar wind stream was predicted, but the intensity of the resulting storm is greater than forecast. Tonight, Northern Lights around the Arctic Circle should be bright, and the glow could descend to northern-tier US states as well.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information.

Chance of Magnetic Storms This Week

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 25, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

CHANCE OF MAGNETIC STORMS: A large coronal hole is turning toward Earth, and it is spewing a stream of high-speed solar wind into space. NOAA forecasters expect the stream to reach our planet on Oct. 25-26 with a 35% chance of geomagnetic storms when it arrives. Storm levels could reach category G2, which means the glow of auroras might be visible not only around the Arctic Circle but also in northern-tier US states such as Minnesota and Michigan.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information.

Auroras possible this weekend as Earth enters a new solar wind stream

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 15, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

WEEKEND AURORA WATCH: High-latitude auroras are possible this weekend as Earth enters a high-speed stream of solar wind flowing from a hole in the sun's atmosphere. This is a broad stream, and its influence could persist for 2 or 3 days. Arctic observers are favored because only in the Arctic will the intensity of the auroras likely rival that of this weekend's full Moon.

Visit Spaceweather.com for updates and more information.

Solar Wind Engulfs Earth, Sparks Geomagnetic Storm

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 28, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

HIGH-SPEED SOLAR WIND ENGULFS EARTH: As predicted, a high speed solar wind stream has surrounded Earth and it is buffeting our planet's magnetic field on Sept. 28th. Bright auroras have been sighted around the Arctic Circle in response to G2-class geomagnetic storms. This is a broad stream of solar wind, and its influence could persist for 2 or 3 days.

Visit Spaceweather.com for updates.

Here Comes the Solar Wind

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 19, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

HERE COMES THE SOLAR WIND: The Arctic Circle is about to turn green. Forecasters say there is a good chance of bright auroras around the poles on Sept. 20th when a solar wind stream engulfs Earth's magnetic field. Researchers have long known that auroras favor equinoxes. The timing of the  stream could scarcely be better as it is expected to arrive only two days before the beginning of northern autumn.

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

Spherical Images of Earth from the Edge of Space

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 11, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

CHANCE OF STORMS:  A solar wind stream traveling ~550 km/s is expected to engulf Earth's magnetic field during the late hours of Sept. 11th.  Its arrival could spark polar geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras on Sept. 11th and 12th. Visit http://spaceweather.com for updates.

SPHERICAL IMAGES FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE:  Last week, a pair of space weather balloons were launched from opposite sides of the USA to measure cosmic rays in the atmosphere.  During the flights, a spherical camera captured unique images of Earth from the stratosphere. Click here to experience a fully-interactive, spinnable, zoomable view of the Atlantic Coast from an altitude of 108,000 feet.  First-look results from the radiation experiment may be found on http://spaceweather.com

Listen: Eerie Sounds from Auroras on Jupiter

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 5, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A G1-class geomagnetic storm is underway on Sept. 5th as Earth moves through a broad stream of solar wind. This is the same stream that sparked bright auroras around both poles (and some US states) over the weekend. 

Visit Spaceweather.com for photos and updates.

EERIE SOUNDS FROM AURORAS ON JUPITER: On Aug. 27th, NASA's Juno spacecraft swooped low over the poles of Jupiter.  Not only did the spacecraft snap incredible photos of the most powerful auroras in the solar system, but also it recorded some strange sounds.

Listen to them on today's edition of Spaceweather.com.

Weekend Auroras - Sept. 3-4, 2016

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 3, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

WEEKEND AURORAS:  A stream of very fast moving (700 km/s) solar wind has surrounded Earth, sparking geomagnetic storms on Sept. 3rd. Bright auroras are being reported around the Arctic Circle, with sightings in some northern-tier US states as well.  Because this solar wind stream is wide, its influence could continue throughout the weekend. 

Visit http://spaceweather.com for updates and photos of the ongoing display.

Magnetic Storm Sparks Summertime Auroras

Source - Space Weather News for Aug. 3, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

SUMMERTIME AURORAS: As expected, a high-speed stream of solar wind (with a CME embedded in the flow) hit Earth's magnetic field during the late hours of Aug. 2nd.  The resulting G1-class geomagnetic storm sparked bright auroras across countries in Europe as well as several northern-tier US states.  The show might not be over. NOAA forecasters estimate a 55% chance of similar storms on August 3rd as Earth continues to feel the effects of the solar wind. 

Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and more information.

Coronal Canyon Spews Solar Wind Toward Earth

 
Source - Space Weather News for March 25, 2016:http://spaceweather.com

HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE:  A canyon-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere has opened up and it is spewing solar wind toward Earth. Estimated time of arrival: March 27-28.  Arctic sky watchers should be alert for a springtime display of auroras.  Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information.

NEW RADAR IMAGES OF EARTH-BUZZING COMET:  Earlier this week, comet fragment P/2016 BA14 made an unusually-close approach to Earth. Using a radar in the Mojave Desert, NASA researchers pinged the comet as it passed by, revealing an icy nucleus that looks like a brick--or a pear--depending on your point of view. See for yourself  on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com

Daytime Occultation of Venus on Dec. 7th

Space Weather News for Dec. 6, 2015 http://spaceweather.com

DAYTIME OCCULTATION OF VENUS: On Monday, Dec. 7th, sky watchers in North America can see the Moon pass in front of Venus in broad daylight--no telescope required. Visit Spaceweather.com for observing tips and more information.

SOLAR WIND SPARKS AURORAS: Earth is entering a stream of solar wind flowing from a broad coronal hole on the sun.  In response, auroras are dancing around the Arctic Circle.  More lights are in the offing as Earth moves deeper into the stream.  NOAA forecasters estimate a 55% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on Dec. 7th and 8th. Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Meteors from Halley's Comet

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 20, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

METEORS FROM HALLEY'S COMET: Earth is passing through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, source of the annual Orionid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak tonight, Oct. 20-21, with as many as 20 meteors per hour. No matter where you live, the best time to look is during the dark hours before sunrise on Wednesday the 21st.  Visit Spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.

MINOR STORM WARNING: High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall on Oct.21st and 22nd. Earth is about to enter a fast-moving stream of solar wind, and this could spark minor geomagnetic storms.  Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).