CME IMPACT, GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A minor geomagnetic storm was already in progress on Feb. 19th when a CME struck Earth's magnetic field at approximately 0200 UT. The impact revved-up the storm and sent Northern Lights spilling across the Canadian border into the United States. Douglas Kiesling sends this picture from Sauk Rapids, Minnesota:
"The auroras were so bright, I could actually see a snowy owl on power pole back lit by the green glow," says Kiesling. "The owl itself was illuminated by bright moonlight."
High-latitude sky watchers, if it's dark where you live, look for auroras. Geomagnetic activity is still underway as Earth's magnetic field reverberates from the CME impact. Aurora alerts: text, voice
Solar wind
speed: 454.3 km/sec
density: 0.1 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1647 UT
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1025 UT Feb19
24-hr: C3 0201 UT Feb19
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1600 UT
Daily Sun: 19 Feb 14
Sunspot AR1982 has a 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI
Sunspot number: 134
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 19 Feb 2014
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 0 days
2014 total: 0 days (0%)
2013 total: 0 days (0%)
2012 total: 0 days (0%)
2011 total: 2 days (<1%)
2010 total: 51 days (14%)
2009 total: 260 days (71%)
Update 19 Feb 2014
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 151 sfu
explanation | more data
Updated 19 Feb 2014
Current Auroral Oval:
Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 6 storm
24-hr max: Kp= 6 storm
explanation | more data
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 11.5 nT
Bz: 6.3 nT north
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1329 UT
Coronal Holes: 19 Feb 14
Earth is inside a stream of solar wind flowing from the indicated coronal hole. Credit: SDO/AIA.