Powerful X1.6-class Solar Flare

space weather update

Solar wind
speed: 625.1 km/sec
density: 23.3 protons/cm3

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1341 UT Sep12
24-hr: C9 0224 UT Sep12

Everything is updating right now.
Updating the screenshot I posted a few posts back

Explanation of G2 storm

Power systems: high-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms, long-duration storms may cause transformer damage. Spacecraft operations: corrective actions to orientation may be required by ground control; possible changes in drag affect orbit predictions. Other systems: HF radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes, and aurora has been seen as low as New York and Idaho (typically 55° geomagnetic lat.)**.

originally posted by: Dr1Akula
I don't know if it's related, but we just had 2 power breakdowns (18.45 and 7.10) this afternoon in Athens, When I called the power company they told me a transformer had blown up.

Apparently it can cause transformers to blow.

Currently it's at G2 status.

THE SECOND CME HAS ARRIVED: For the second time today, a CME has hit Earth's magnetic field. As a result of the impact, a moderate G2-class geomagnetic storm is underway. The storm could intensify further as Earth passes through the gusty wake of the CME, but probably not enough to cause power outages or communications blackouts. Earth is going to weather this event with few if any negative side-effects. Meanwhile, high latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.

spaceweather

Well they are saying that its no big deal, this time.

Well I sure hope not, my son flies out of Calgary Alberta tomorrow morning, headed to London Ontario. Scares me a bit. I know we have had worse than this, but as a mother you still worry.

My power blinked for a split second last night.

Sometimes it's so brief nothing in my house shuts off. If it happens overnight, or when I'm out,my stove tells me. It shows PF for power failure. It's not showing that today

NOAA SOACE WEATHER SCALES
Link

I'm in central to northern Alberta, I've had no problems at all.
Satellite working good, cell service good.
All electrical working just fine.

But it's cloudy

If it clears up it should be a beautiful night

My satellite & cell phone has been sketchy all day today. I'm wondering if its related to the CME. (I live in Northern New England.)

Aurora observed as far south as Arizona


Northern Lights were observed as far south as Arizona. Chris Schur photographed the red glow of auroras peaking over the trees in the backyard of his home in Payson, AZ:

Some readers may be skeptical of this observation, but it is real. Schur is a veteran photographer of auroras; he knows what they look like. Moreover, red is the correct color for auroras at low latitudes.

"This pink glow right under Ursa Major was visible to the naked eye before the moon came up," says Schur. "These were the first auroras here in Arizona since the previous solar maximum."

Since Schur photographed these "Northern" Lights, a second and more powerful CME has arrived.

Courtesy space weather

Darn it. I didn't see them here in British Columbia under clear skies. Today we are on the day side of earth, when this second CME hit.Hopefully tonight.

Space weather event underway The two solar eruptions that occurred earlier this week have reached Earth. Geomagnetic storming is underway now with the bulk of the storming expected in the next 24 hours. No major effects on infrastructure are expected from these storms. The aurora borealis (northern lights) are expected to be visible in the northern tier of the United States as a result. The NWS Space Weather Prediction Center is the nation's official source of space weather alerts, watches and warnings. For updates on activity, visit: www.spaceweather.gov.

It's overcast where I am, but I'll surely try for a long exposure if it's clear tonight. If I can't see it with the naked eye, odds are my camera should be able to pick up something with at least a 10-second exposure.

a reply to: Nyiah

Hope you can get a photo.
I can't look north because trees and mountains block my view. I'm situated in a valley.
The last time I saw the purplish effect, it was blocked off. I'm not able to get out and go to a good spot.



Good luck to all who might get the chance.

UPDATE STORMING NOW AT G3

SWPC Space Weather Alerts Issued in the last 24 hours
Space Weather Message Code
ALTK07 Serial Number: 88 Issue Time: 2014 Sep 12 2309 UTC ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 7 Threshold Reached: 2014 Sep 12 2302 UTC Synoptic Period: 2100-2400 UTC Active Warning: Yes NOAA Scale: G3 - Strong Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 50 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Power system voltage irregularities possible, false alarms may be triggered on some protection devices. Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites and orientation problems may occur. Navigation - Intermittent satellite navigation (GPS) problems, including loss-of-lock and increased range error may occur. Radio - HF (high frequency) radio may be intermittent. Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon

Definition of geomagnetic storm G3

Strong
Power systems: voltage corrections may be required, false alarms triggered on some protection devices.

Spacecraft operations: surface charging may occur on satellite components, drag may increase on low-Earth-orbit satellites, and corrections may be needed for orientation problems.

Other systems: intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation problems may occur, HF radio may be intermittent, and aurora has been seen as low as Illinois and Oregon (typically 50° geomagnetic lat.)**.

It is supposed to clear up here in Minnesota around midnight.
I am definitely going to try to get some pictures with our crappy camera if the northern lights are bright enough.

UPDATE possibility go going to highest level . Extreme is G5


Space Weather Message Code: WARK07
Serial Number: 43
Issue Time: 2014 Sep 12 2307 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 7 or greater expected
Valid From: 2014 Sep 12 2306 UTC
Valid To: 2014 Sep 13 0700 UTC
Warning Condition: Persistence
NOAA Scale: G3 or greater - Strong to Extreme
Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 50 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents - Power system voltage irregularities possible, false alarms may be triggered on some protection devices.
Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites and orientation problems may occur.
Navigation - Intermittent satellite navigation (GPS) problems, including loss-of-lock and increased range error may occur.
Radio - HF (high frequency) radio may be intermittent.
Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon.