CME impacts Earth, sparks G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm
Coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by M1.6 solar flare at 06:40 UTC on October 9, 2021, reached DSCOVR spacecraft at 01:48 UTC and Earth at 02:30 UTC on October 12, 2021. The impact sparked a G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm.
In 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on October 12, solar wind conditions were indicative of mildly enhanced and disturbed conditions likely due to heliospheric current sheet (HCS) proximity and weak coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) effects. Total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength weakened from an early peak of 12 nT to an average of 5 – 6 nT. The Bz component varied, but was predominantly directed southward.
Solar wind speed at DSCOVR spacecraft rose sharply from 366 km/s at 01:42 UTC to 487 km/s at 01:48 UTC, signaling impact from October 9 CME.
Full halo CME produced on October 9, 2021. Credit: ESA/NASA SOHO LASCO C3
The CME reached Earth at around 02:30 UTC sparking G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm at 02:57 UTC and G2 – Moderate at 04:47 UTC.
G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm potential impacts:
- Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
- Induced currents – Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms.
- Spacecraft – Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible.
- Radio – HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes.
- Aurora – Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state.
CME influences are expected to wane on October 13, while weak isolated, positive polarity CH HSS influences may be noted, SWPC said.
October 14 is expected to be primarily quiet.
Multimedia
Insane outburst directly overhead from west of #saskatoon at 0400UTC with bright pink clearly visible. Still ongoing. Phone shot. @TweetAurora @TamithaSkov @AuroraNotify #AuroraBorealis pic.twitter.com/CIjGZToHHz
— Gunjan Sinha PhD (@gunjansinha2017) October 12, 2021
Northern lights dancing tonight in Edmonton Sky. #AuroraBorelis #Yeg pic.twitter.com/woteda6sHH
— NidheeshDadheech, PhD (@NidheeshDadhich) October 12, 2021
Cell phone shot north of Brandon @TweetAurora @Aurora_Alerts @AuroraNotify @LachDonna @Vincent_Ledvina @ItsAstroKota @TamithaSkov pic.twitter.com/CmZuts9qvw
— Justin Anderson Aurora Chasing (@AuroraJAnderson) October 12, 2021
#aurora beads started at 4:10 UTC Oct. 12 directly above me at Plumas, #Manitoba Canada, with some epic dancing! Still aurora happening but bedtime for me @TweetAurora @TamithaSkov @UWCIMSS @Vincent_Ledvina @AuroraJAnderson @KimHinesSN @dmaluk1 @tracygregorash @shannbil pic.twitter.com/WsKHiAclSd
— Donna (@LachDonna) October 12, 2021
SW view with the camera. I don't want to complain, but this is boring pic.twitter.com/y8NiejzY37
— Justin Anderson Aurora Chasing (@AuroraJAnderson) October 12, 2021
Good Lord!! Now thats a proper #Aurora show! Standing right under the oval. 20kms outside #winnipeg @TamithaSkov @TweetAurora @LachDonna @Vincent_Ledvina @dmaluk1 @dartanner pic.twitter.com/pRnteQrvpE
— KimHines/SuperNatu☈e (@KimHinesSN) October 12, 2021
WOW THANKFUL FOR THIS LIGHT SHOW #aurora #northernlights #teamtanner #naturetherapy @dartanner @TamithaSkov @NightLights_AM @chunder10 @scottrockphoto @hillsblockview @ScottWx_TWN @PeakToSailPhoto @AuroraMAX pic.twitter.com/4RqksU297C
— ᴛʀᴇᴇ ᴛᴀɴɴᴇʀ (@treetanner) October 12, 2021
Alert! 12:50 am New #Aurora Arc pushing south and is now visible from the middle latitudes (southern (with a clear dark unobstructed view North) MT @TamithaSkov @NorthLightAlert #mnwx pic.twitter.com/pUi27EKYqg
— Jake Stehli (@eljakeo30) October 12, 2021
The Bureau's Space Weather Services team has issued an Aurora Watch — an Aurora may be visible from Tasmania and coastline of Victoria tonight (12 October).
The Bureau issues Aurora Alerts, Watches and Outlooks: https://t.co/ouDeSOurVk
Leanne Marshall – Moorleah, Tas pic.twitter.com/5xTa7bMWt1
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) October 12, 2021
Note for readers new to space weather
This solar storm also sparked many clickbait articles across English tabloid media and other news portals whose only interest appears to be your views and clicks achieved through fear-mongering.
If you are interested in space weather, just keep calm and follow official sources like NOAA SWPC. There are great specialized websites out there and space weather enthusiasts you can follow on social media.
You can always come back here and visit our Space Weather category for solar activity articles without the fear factor.
Featured image credit: Nidheesh Dadheech @ Twitter
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