~Space Weather Update~ Strong Flare Developing

SUBSIDING STORM: A geomagnetic storm that began on Sept. 3rd when a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field is fitfully subsiding. The impact at 1200 UT (5 am PDT) induced significant ground currents in the soil of northern Scandinavia and sparked bright auroras around the Arctic Circle. Ole C. Salomonsen photographed the display over Naimakka, Finland, on Sept. 4th:

"There I was standing all alone deep in the Finish forest, just in awe of this display of light above my head," says Salomonsen. "This is just one of many images of spectacular auroras I shot on this wonderful night."

Stay tuned to the aurora gallery for new photos of the storm. Aurora alerts: text, phone.

Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery

SUNSPOT AR1564: The next strong flare could be just around the corner. Sunspot AR1564 is growing rapidly and has developed a 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class flares. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory took this picture of the active region during the early hours of Sept. 4th:

NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% chance of M-flares during the next 24 hours. Any eruptions will likely be Earth-directed as the active region is turning toward our planet. Solar Flare alerts: text, phone.

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

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 5 storm
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
B_total: 8.0 nT
B_z: 0.9 nT south
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1507 UT

Coronal Holes: 04 Sep 12

There are no large coronal holes on the Earthside of the sun. Credit: SDO/AIA.