2024 Aurora - Friday/Sat/Sun

[SB Shock]

Any risk to electronic equipment?

It is a G3 storm watch. The extent of its effect depends on how long it lasts. It can cause power fluctuations that have to be mitigated so damage is done. G5 is one where blackouts are expected.

There will be uncertainty about how strong this event will be. Three CMEs are actually traveling towards Earth, so their interaction could spice things up. There is potential for a G4 storm, which has a greater risk of power outages and equipment failures.


weather watch.jpg

[SB Shock]

So far has been total bust. Only one CME hit us and it was very weak and didn't even create minor storm.

[WuDrWu]

That seems like a good thing..........

[SB Shock]

The storm did finally show up, just as not as strong as predicted. People in Mo, ND, Minn, Va have been posting great shots of the auroras.

[SB Shock]

The storm did finally show up, just as not as strong as predicted. People in Mo, ND, Minn, Va have been posting great shots of the auroras.

Looks like 2nd CME showed up today. I have seen a picture of Aurora taken near Andover tonight. I went out several time and was not able to get anything.

[SB Shock]

IMG_2619.jpg IMG_2635.jpg I went out one more time right before I was going to go to bed and look what I found.

[SB Shock]

Another solar storm coming in on Thursday/Friday

Space Weather Message Code: WATA99
Serial Number: 8
Issue Time: 2024 Oct 09 1233 UTC

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G4 or Greater Predicted

Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day:
Oct 10: G4 (Severe) Oct 11: G4 (Severe) Oct 12: G1 (Minor)

THIS SUPERSEDES ANY/ALL PRIOR WATCHES IN EFFECT

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 45 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents - Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents intensify.
Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur.
Navigation - Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours.
Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out.
Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California.

[SB Shock]

NOAA: Solar storm set to arrive, possibly creating auroras as well as affecting communications, GPS systems and power | CNN

Colorful auroras could be visible in areas of the United States such as Alabama and Northern California — much farther south than they typically appear — on Thursday evening due to a powerful solar flare and coronal mass ejection released from the sun, according to the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

A series of the most intense type of solar flares, known as X-class flares, have released from the sun this week. The flares also coincided with coronal mass ejections on Tuesday.

Coronal mass ejections are large clouds of ionized gas called plasma and magnetic fields that erupt from the sun’s outer atmosphere. When these outbursts are directed at Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms, or major disturbances of Earth’s magnetic field.

“Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface,” according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.

As a result, the center has notified the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North American power grid and satellite operators to prepare for disruptions, especially given the amount of preparations and expected relief efforts for Hurricane Milton, Dahl said.

Historically, G4 storms are common during a solar cycle, but G5, or extreme geomagnetic storms such the one that occurred on May 10, are incredibly rare, Dahl said. This newstorm has a 25% chance of becoming a G5, he said.

[Kung Wu]

Global warming is causing massive solar events!?!

[Ta Town Shocker]

Which direction should I be looking tonight?

[ShockerDropOut]

Which direction should I be looking tonight?

And when?

[Ta Town Shocker]

Which direction should I be looking tonight?

I'm obviously an amateur at this and wasn't giving it an ounce of thought by wondering which direction to look for the Northern lights.

[SB Shock]

IMG_2681.jpg IMG_2671.jpg It was amazing last night. It was visible with the naked eye and was dynamic.

[SB Shock]

It was moving as a wave, from east to west, and arching across overhead.

visually it looked like the light radiating into the sky of prairie grass fire off in the distance.