From Doc Searls…
Went outside at about 5:15 this morning, looked up at the starry sky, and noticed a second Milky Way. Even though it looked a bit like the aurora I saw in Alaska a few weeks ago, I figured it was just a cloud pattern. Still, on the outside chance that a solar storm might be pushing northern lights far to the south, I came inside and brought up the Solar Terrestrial Dispatch.
Turns out there IS a storm going on:
Latest Geomagnetic and Auroral Activity Conditions
Updated: 04:00 UTC 24 October (12:00 am [midnight] EDT, 24 October):
Within the next 12 hours, a major geomagnetic and auroral storm is predicted to commence. Auroral activity could become visible into the middle latitude regions. Storm activity is expected to continue for the next 3 days due to persisting coronal mass ejections from intense solar activity.
Much more significant activity will be possible over the coming 10 days if the existing intense active regions continue to produce energetic solar activity.
Solar Activity Update
INTENSE solar activity is continuing in-progress. Another major solar flare (class M7.6 event) occurred at 02:53 UTC on 24 October (10:53 pm EDT on 23 October) from Region 486. Additional major flare activity is expected.
Meanwhile, from BBC News, Earth Put on Solar Stom Alert, by David Whitehouse:
Imminent disruption is predicted for satellites, power systems and even mobile phones because of a solar storm. It comes from one of the largest groups of sunspots seen for years. On Thursday superhot gas erupted above them.
The event, called a Coronal Mass Ejection, sent 10 billion tonnes of superhot gas speeding towards Earth. As well as communication blackouts, aurorae – polar lights – may be seen from mid-latitudes as the gas arrives.
On the upside, we can be in for some spectacular aurora displays here in the lower lattitudes. There have already been sightings in Montana, Kentucky and New Zealand. I doubt what I saw was the Real Deal, but I’m glad I checked. Here in Santa Barbara I’m pretty far south, but not as far as San Diego, where they were spotted in November 2001. Two years and two days ago, auroras were spotted in Australia, Spain, Japan and North Carolina.
Check for more bulletins at SpaceWeather.com.
white pebble 