– OCTOBER 10, 2012

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Sunspot region about to rotate into view off the southeast limb produced an M1.7 solar flare at 23:31 UTC on October 9, 2012. Just few hours later, at 5:04 UTC (October 10, 2012) the same region produced another M-class event peaking at M1.02.

Geomagnetic storm

Last night we saw a G1 minor geomagnetic storming, nevertheless a good opportunity for aurora pictures. Below is a graph representing last 7 days of geomagnetic levels.

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 704
Issue Time: 2012 Oct 09 2246 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2012 Oct 09 2246 UTC
Synoptic Period: 2100-2400 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Spacecraft – Minor impact on satellite operations possible.
Aurora – Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.

Aurora images

Fantastic aurora image was brought by solarham.com, this time from 21,000 feet in the air over Alberta, Canada taken by Matt Melnyk. “Here are some shots of last nights display from 21,000 feet. I am a pilot so I get a great view of the aurora from the cockpit. This was between 02:30 am and 03:30 am while flying to Fort McMurray from Edmonton at 21,000 feet.”

Spaceweather.com brings this amazing image from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta by Beth Allan: