Tag: space weather

The Earth is on notice: geomagnetic activity potential

Activity on the Sun has prompted NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center to issue a Geomagnetic Storm Watch for Earth for March 19 through to March 21. A coronal whole is responsible for sending two coronal mass ejections (CME) towards earth. The Watch calls for a G2-level storm on a 5 point scale, with the possibility of it being upgraded to a G3-level event.

“While there is a high level of uncertainty related to the CME arrivals, there is more certainty regarding the likely CH HSS effects to begin by 21 March, with at least a G2 storm levels likely,” said the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in a statement.  They added, “There is at least a slight chance for G3 (Strong) storm conditions throughout this period. Continue to follow our webpage for the latest forecasts and updates about this activity.”

Behold: The solar ‘beast’

Staring at the sun

Around the world, astronomers are monitoring a massive prominence curling over the sun’s northeastern limb.

David Wilson of Inverness, Scotland, calls it “The Beast”:

This is being reported by Spaceweather:

“This is 3 hours of the giant prominence as seen from my backyard solar observatory,” says Wilson. “It looks to me like some huge 4-legged beast shuffling along.”

Prominences are clouds of hydrogen held above the surface of the sun by magnetic fields. The shuffling of the Beast is a sign of magnetic instability, and may herald a collapse or magnificent eruption. Photo-op, anyone? Monitoring is encouraged on July 13th.

Here is another amazing image..

SOLAR HAM relaying this:

An enhanced solar wind stream is moving past Earth and active (Kp4) geomagnetic conditions has been observed. A minor (G1) geomagnetic storm watch is in effect until 18:00 UTC (July 11). The onset of a coronal hole stream was not expected until within the next few days, so it is unclear if this is related to the coronal hole or perhaps a weak transient passing Earth as the solar wind speed jumped from 330 km/s to above 400 km/s. Further updates will be provided whenever necessary.

Here is the latest moving imagery of the sun from NASA..

Ben Davidson of Space Weather News issued a warning on X overnight about an Earth-facing coronal hole that could eject fast-moving solar wind toward Earth, potentially triggering elevated geomagnetic activity, including auroras and geomagnetic storms. The high-speed stream is expected to reach Earth within days… DEVELOPING..

Mega solar flare like no other in recent memory

Biggest flare in a long time..

Sun’s strongest solar flare in years knocks out radio frequencies

Rare solar storm could bring northern lights to New England.

AXIOS

NOAA scientists determined Thursday’s X-class flare as not only the largest of the current Solar Cycle 25, but also the biggest since September 2017.

More..

“This is likely one of the largest solar radio events ever recorded,” NOAA wrote Thursday in a report regarding the flare, which is caused by localized explosions on the sun’s surface that expel intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation.

The alarming solar event occurred Thursday after an active sunspot named AR 3514 erupted with a large class X.28 solar flare — the most powerful variety that the sun is capable of producing, as seen in ominous photos captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Solar storm set for Monday

Dr Tamitha Skov, a space weather physicist tweeted yesterday: “Direct Hit! NOAA & NASA prediction models show solar storm to hit Earth between 12:00 and 21:00 UTC on March 13.

image

Strong solar storm set to hit Earth Monday

Dr Tamitha Skov, a space weather physicist tweeted yesterday: “Direct Hit! NOAA & NASA prediction models show solar storm to hit Earth between 12:00 and 21:00 UTC on March 13.

“Impact should be strong! Expect aurora deep into mid-latitudes, amateur radio & GPS reception issues, especially near dawn/dusk, and on Earth’s nightside!”