What does the spike on the magnetosphere chart mean?

Sorry for my very unscientific question. The site I am watching for sun flares, also has a chart (bottom left) for the magnetosphere. Can anybody explain to me what the big spike means that just happened? Thank you in advance!

www.n3kl.org...

check out spaceweather.com...


there was a solar flare


CME IMPACT: A coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth's magnetic field today, Oct. 24th, at approximately 1800 UT (02:00 pm EDT) setting the stage for a possible geomagnetic storm. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. Storm alerts

I apologize... today is my birthday.
It kind of put a little disturbance in the Force.

It looks like a decent solar flare impact charged it up today.

reply to post by HedyLamarr


It may be from this:

CME IMPACT: A coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth's magnetic field today, Oct. 24th, at approximately 1800 UT (02:00 pm EDT) setting the stage for a possible geomagnetic storm. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.

www.spaceweather.com...

Ah that explains it! And that weakened our magnetic field (that's why it spiked, sorry for the dumb question)?

Originally posted by HedyLamarr
Ah that explains it! And that weakened our magnetic field (that's why it spiked, sorry for the dumb question)?

I, for one do not believe in a "dumb question". We all have to ask questions to learn.

reply to post by HedyLamarr


I thought it was a good question. A dumb question is always better than a dumb answer.

reply to post by MamaJ


This is true! There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

we have some beautiful red auroras right now here over central illinois

im so jealous im in southern ontario and i cant see anything!!

do you still see them or was it just a very brief moment!! im considering driving further into county to go and look