CME impact sets amazing auroras

cme-impact-sets-amazing-auroras

A coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth’s magnetic field around noon Universal Time on Sept. 26th. The impact set the stage for a night to remember. As soon as darkness fell over Scandinavia, auroras filled the sky with such intensity that they were visible through rain clouds. Fredrik Broms photographed the scene from Kvaløya, Norway:

Minor Geomagnetic activity persists heading into early Wednesday morning. Minor Storm levels of G1 (Kp=5) may be possible overnight. Sky watchers at the highest latitudes should remain alert for auroras as Earth’s magnetic field continues to reverberate from the CME impact.

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 4 unsettled
24-hr max: Kp= 4 unsettled

 

The source of the CME that hit Earth on Sept. 26th is sunspot AR1302. Measuring more than 150,000 km from end to end, the sprawling active region is visible even without a solar telescope. AR1302 has quieted down since unleashing dual X-flares on Sept. 22nd and 24th. Nevertheless, NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of more X-flares during the next 24 hours. Any such eruptions would be Earth-directed as the sunspot crosses the center of the solar disk. (SpaceWeather)

 

more aurora images:

Aleksander Chernucho of Kola peninsula, Russia;

Minoru Yoneto of Queenstown, New Zealand

Beatrice van Eden of Antarctica;

Douglas Kiesling of Osakis, Minnesota;

Vanessa Gervais of Chisasibi, Quebec, Canada;

Bjørnar G Hansen of Kvaløya, Norway;

Steven Graham of Christchurch, New Zealand;

Mika Puurula of Sotkamo, Finland;

Jonathan Tucker of Whitehorse, Yukon;

Julius Jahre Sætre of Vestfold, Norway;

Sternwarte Riesa of Segelflugplatz Riesa/ Canitz, Germany;

Elizabeth Gyurgyak of Tananger, Norway;

Reed Ingram Weir of Northumberland, UK;

Krzysztof Polakowski of Rimforsa, Sweden;

Thilo Bubek of Tromsø, Norway;

Bjarne Riesto of Varanger, Norway;

Marek Nikodem of Szubin, Poland;

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