Tuesday, June 23, 2015

[Space WX] Strong Geomagnetic storming and Aurora Forecasts

(SAMPLE FORECAST)
Geomagnetic storming reaches G4 (Severe) levels
 
Geomagnetic storming reaches G4 (Severe) levels
published: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 06:13 UTC
[LINK
The geomagnetic storm that began on 22 June has reached G4 (Severe) levels
once again as of 0513 UTC (0113 EDT) on 23 June.
Solar wind conditions remain highly favorable for continued Strong Geomagnetic storming, with both fast solar wind and strong magnetic fields.  Aurora watchers in North America, especially northern tier states of the US, should stay alert. 


(SAMPLE FORECAST)
Another storm forecast for Wednesday night/Thursday
published: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 03:27 UTC
[LINK]
The coronal mass ejection that erupted June 22 in conjunction with the R2 solar flare has been modeled and arrival is expected June 24 at 2300 UT  (7 pm EDT).  This timing bodes well for aurora watchers in North America.  As for the expected intensity, SWPC is continuing to analyze the event and will update the forecast when this analysis is complete.  Stay tuned here for updates


 (the following is from EarthSky.ORG   Release Date: Jun 23, 2015)

Geomagnetic storm strikes. Awesome auroras!

Storms on the sun send giant plasma clouds across space, which interact with Earth’s magnetic field. See photos of auroras in U.S. and similar latitudes Monday night!
Jennifer Khordi wrote:
Jennifer Khordi wrote on June 22: “Tonight’s amazing aurora display in the Catskills of New York. Was amazing to see the aurora this far south.”
A geomagnetic storm classified G4 – a very strong storm – took place last night (June 22-23, 2015), sparking displays of auroras, or northern lights. The reports we saw had them as far south as the U.S. state of Virginia and similar latitudes, but we might hear of even more southerly sightings today. The last on this scale happened in March, when auroras were seen as far south as New Mexico. The display might last into the night of June 23-24. Your best chance to catch auroras is to find a country location, far from city lights.
Read about the storms on the sun that caused this auroral display
Eileen Claffey caught the June 22 auroras, too.  She wrote:
Eileen Claffey caught the June 22 auroras, too. She wrote: “Even here in Central Mass. Yippie!”
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Setting moon and northern lights over Rockport, Massachusetts, captured by John Gravell.  He wrote:
Setting moon and northern lights over Rockport, Massachusetts on June 22, captured by John Gravell. He wrote: “Took this a few hours ago … The sky was lighting up like I have never seen before! Such an amazing experience!”
Jeff Berkes Photography wrote:
Jeff Berkes Photography wrote on June 22: “The Northern Lights were EPIC tonight here in Pennsylvania! The moon was setting off to the west and the northern lights were dancing across the sky in stunning fashion. I’m so lucky I had a chance to view this and the weather was clear. I watched them for a good 2 hours … “
Josh Blash wrote on June 22, 2015:
Josh Blash wrote on June 22: “I headed out around 10 p.m. and drove over to the ocean to see if I could spot some auroras. I was not disappointed!! I’m left speechless every time I see these amazing displays of beauty that nature provides.”
Although there’s not much nighttime at far-northern latitudes now (being so close to the solstice, or time of the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle), some at very northerly latitudes reported beautiful displays of auroras last night as well.
Art by T. Richardsen wrote:
Art by T. Richardsen wrote on June 22: “The poetry of light. Aurora dancing over a still lake as the first hint of daylight is shining. Image captured in Sørkjosen, Troms, northern Norway.”
Astronaut Scott Kelly caught the display from the International Space Station.
We got most of our reports of auroras from Northern Hemisphere locations. But last night’s auroral display was seen in the Southern Hemisphere, too.
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