3/8/10: Auroras Possible After Solar Eruption

Tuesday, 3 August 2010, 4:46 pm
Article: Scoop News

UPDATE (2130 GMT 4 August) Stuff.co.nz reports that last night (4/5 August) New Zealand time auroras were sighted in NZ's South and Antartica, including at the observatory at the proposed starlight heritage reserve at Lake Tekapo. However, there was cloud over much of the country. This aurora was probably due to the predicted second wave of the solar storm.

EARLIER (0220 GMT 4 August) via SpaceWeather.com: Northern lights are being sighted in Europe.

EARLIER CME IMPACT! The first of possibly two incoming CMEs hit Earth's magnetic field today at approximately 1730 UT (1:30 pm EDT) [5:30am 4 August NZ Time]. As a result of the impact, a polar geomagnetic storm is brewing. High-lattitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall.

Spaceweather reports that a solar flare – a cloud of charge particles from "a complex global eruption involving almost the entire Earth-facing side of the sun" – is approaching Earth and could cause auroras tonight (August 3).

Any Aurora Australis – or Southern Lights – will likely be more visible from the South Island.

The increased electrical activity in space may also cause electronic problems, particularly for satellites.

'Auroral Oval' at just after 4pm NZ time (NOAA/POES, via spaceweather.com)

See also:
SpaceWeather.com
Soft Serve News: Aurora Borealis Activity Now.
New Scientist: The sun sends a charged cloud hurtling our way

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