CME hits Earth sparking geomagnetic storm
Image credit: NASA/SDO AIA 304; NASA/ESA LASCO C2/C3 showing CME leaving the Sun early November 16, 2015
Two solar filaments erupted from the SW quadrant of the Sun late November 15 and early November 16 producing a Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) that arrived at Earth at 20:10 UTC on November 18. A G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm is currently in progress.
This, combined with geoeffective high speed solar wind stream from a coronal hole will possibly cause G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storming on November 19.
Solar wind as measured by ACE. Image credit: NOAA/SWPC
Imagery courtesy of NASA/SDO (via SolarHam)
Imagery courtesy of NASA/ESA SOHO (via SolarHam)
Geomagnetic K-index of 4 was reached at 22:07 UTC on November 18. G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm (K-index of 5) threshold was reached at 23:08 UTC.
Under G1 conditions, weak power grid fluctuations can occur, minor impact on satellite operations is possible and aurora may be visible at high latitudes.
3-hour K-indices for the last 7 days. Image credit: NOAA/SWPC
SWPC alerts
Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 892
Issue Time: 2015 Nov 18 2309 UTC
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2015 Nov 18 2308 UTC
Synoptic Period: 2100-2400 UTC
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor
NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation
Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Spacecraft – Minor impact on satellite operations possible.
Aurora – Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.
***
Space Weather Message Code: SUMSUD
Serial Number: 215
Issue Time: 2015 Nov 18 2038 UTC
SUMMARY: Geomagnetic Sudden Impulse
Observed: 2015 Nov 18 2010 UTC
Deviation: 70 nT
Station: WNG
NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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