~Space Weather Update~ M3~CLASS SOLAR FLARE

Solar wind
speed: 544.0 km/sec
density: 4.0 protons/cm³
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1726 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1352 UT Feb20
24-hr: M3 0757 UT Feb20
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1700 UT

Daily Sun: 20 Feb 14

Sunspot AR1982 has a 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

STORMY SPACE WEATHER: Space weather around Earth is stormy–and might get stormier in the days ahead. Our planet's magnetic field is reverberating from the second CME impact in as many days. According to NOAA forecasters, another CME could arrive late in the day on Feb. 20th followed by another on Feb. 22nd. For the most part, these CME impacts are minor and/or glancing. However, their combined effect is significant. A G1-class geomagnetic storm is now in progress so high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Aurora alerts: text, voice

AURORAS OVER THE USA: A minor geomagnetic storm was already in progress during the early hours of Feb. 19th when a CME struck Earth's magnetic field. The impact revved-up the storm and sent Northern Lights spilling across the Canadian border into the United States. Jonathan Schiralli sends this picture from Grand Rapids, North Dakota:

To capture all the colors, Schiralli says he exposed the sky for 5 seconds using a Canon Rebel T3 digital camera set at 1600 ISO. Northern photographers should take note of those settings as more auroras are in the offing. NOAA forecasters estimate a 30% to 50% chance of geomagnetic storms on Feb. 20-21. Aurora alerts: text, voice

Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery

M3-CLASS SOLAR FLARE: Departing sunspot AR1976 erupted today, Feb. 20th, at approximately 0750 UT, producing an M3-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the blast:

Because of the sunspot's location near the sun's western limb, the blast was not squarely Earth-directed. Nevertheless, there might be some effect. NOAA forecasters say that a CME expelled by the blast could deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on Feb. 22nd. Stay tuned for updates. Solar flare alerts: text, voice