~SPACE WEATHER UPDATE~ M~ CLASS SOLAR FLARES ENTERING A SOLAR WIND STREAM~ WITH COMMENTARY FROM THE GALACTIC FREE PRESS~

~SPACE WEATHER UPDATE~ M~ CLASS SOLAR FLARES ENTERING A SOLAR WIND STREAM~ WITH COMMENTARY FROM THE GALACTIC FREE PRESS~

 

 

~ THE TRUTH ABOUT THESE INCOMING EVENTS AND INCREASED ACTIVITY AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE PLANET AND ALL ON HER~

~SYMPTOMS OF THE SOLAR FLARES AWAKENING HUMANITY~

1~OVERFLOWING EXPERIENCE OF JOY

 

2~UNCONTROLLABLE LAUGHTER

 

3~ROLLING IN THE ISLES

 

4~PROUDLY WEARING YOUR “WE TOLD YA SO BUTTONS” WITH JOY~   WE LOVE YOU, LOVE MOTHER AND FATHERGOD AND THE ENTIRE GALACTIC FREE PRESS STAFF~

 

 

 

DECLINING CHANCE OF MAGNETIC STORMS: The CME expected on Dec. 29th either missed Earth or its impact was too weak to notice. Geomagnetic activity remains generally low with only a 20% chance of storms around the Arctic Circle during the next 24 hours.

 

ACTIVE SUNSPOT: New sunspot 1389 is crackling with M-class solar flares. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded this extreme UV flash from the active region at 2151 UT on Dec. 29th:

 

 

Although the sunspot is not directly facing Earth, its flares can affect our planet. X-rays and UV radiation from yesterday's flares created waves of ionization in the upper atmosphere, altering the propagation of radio waves. The phenomenon was particularly strong over Europe where radio amateurs using low frequency receivers detected sudden ionospheric disturbances ("SIDs") above Ireland and Italy. Student groups who wish to detect solar flares in this way can ask about obtaining a SID monitor from Stanford University.

NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% chance of more M-flares during the next 24 hours. There's also a 5% chance of X-flares. Solar flare alerts: text, voice.

 

more images: from Michael Borman of Evansville, Indiana

 

MOTHER OF PEARL: As December draws to a close, the first polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) of northern winter are forming around the Arctic Circle. Anders Gjørwad Hagen of Vinstra, Norway, photographed this specimen on Dec. 27th:

 

 

Also known as "nacreous" or "mother of pearl" clouds, icy PSCs form in the lower stratosphere when temperatures drop to around minus 85ºC. Sunlight shining through tiny ice particles ~10µm across produce the characteristic bright iridescent colors by diffraction and interference.

The display Hagen witnessed formed in the wake of "Dagmar," a storm that "hit the coast of Norway with hurricane strength on Dec. 25th and 26th," says Hagen. "Record breaking winds up to 145 mph were recorded. While people on the coast dealt with the aftermath, photo enthusiasts inland saw the effects of high altitude winds in these colorful clouds. It was a beautiful display, but not comfortable to think of all the suffering lying behind it."

more images: from Bjarki Mikkelsen of Jokkmokk Lapland, Sweden; from P-M Hedén of Tänndalen, Sweden; from Krystian Rosa of Brandbu, Norway; from Patricia Cowern of Porjus,Sweden

 

Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 0 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 1 quiet
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
B_total: 8.7 nT
B_z: 4.3 nT south
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1457 UT

Coronal Holes: 30 Dec 11

Earth is entering a dense stream of solar wind flowing from the indicated coronal hole. Credit: SDO/AIA.