Tag Archives: CME

Astronomy News

Watch for auroras March 19-20

Space Weather News for March 16, 2026
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EQUINOX AURORA WATCH: The first auroras of northern spring are only days away. A CME (described below) is expected to hit Earth on March 19th just hours before the vernal equinox. Its impact could spark G2-class geomagnetic storms with photographic auroras at mid-latitudes.

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EARTH-DIRECTED SOLAR FLARE AND CME: Surprising forecasters, sunspot 4392 produced an M2.7-class solar flare on March 16th (1215 UTC). NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the extreme ultraviolet flash:

On the Richter Scale of solar flares, “M2.7” is not very strong. However, this one hurled a CME almost directly toward Earth. NOAA models and NASA models agree: The CME will arrive on March 19th, mere hours before the northern vernal equinox.

This is perfect timing because auroras love equinoxes. It’s called the “Russell-McPherron effect.” At this time of year, the magnetic field of Earth can link to the magnetic field of the sun, providing a superhighway for solar wind to enter our planet’s magnetosphere. Even a weak CME can can penetrate to spark mid-latitude auroras.

There’s more: A New Moon on March 19th will provide dark skies for long exposures. Even if you can’t see the auroras, you might be able to photograph them. Point your smart phone at the sky and take a nighttime exposure. You could be surprised by what appears on the screen.

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Astronomy News

SEVERE GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH

SEVERE GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: A CME is heading straight for Earth–see below. NASA and NOAA models agree that it will strike Earth on June 1st. The impact could spark a severe (G4-class) geomagnetic storm with auroras visible across Europe and many US states. This won’t be as big as the famous May 2024 storm, but it could be one of the bigger events of Solar Cycle 25 if a severe storm materializes. CME impact alerts: SMS Text

MAJOR SOLAR FLARE AND HALO CME: Big old sunspot 4100 finally exploded–and it was a doozy. On May 31st at 00:05 UTC, Earth-orbiting satellites detected an M8.2-class solar flare. The explosion lasted more than 3 hours:


A long-duration M8.2-class solar flare recorded by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

Although the flare was not technically X-class, it was close. Moreover, it was a slow explosion with lots of power “under the curve.” The blast was able to lift a massive CME out of the sun’s atmosphere.

Indeed, shortly after the flare, SOHO coronagraphs recorded a bright halo CME heading directly for our planet:

This is a very fast-moving CME. Type II radio emissions from shock waves within the cloud suggest it is traveling 1,938 km/s or 4.3 million mph. When it strikes Earth, the CME could spark severe geomagnetic storms with auroras at mid- to low latitudes. Stay tuned! CME impact alerts: SMS Text

Astronomy News

CME to arrive here June 10th

Space Weather News for June 8, 2024
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HARD RADIATION STORM: A powerful explosion on the sun today peppered Earth and nearby spacecraft with “hard” protons. The radiation storm fogged satellite cameras for hours. Following close behind, a CME is heading for Earth, and its arrival on June 10th could spark G2-class geomagnetic storms. Full story @ Spaceweather.com.

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Above: Today’s M9.7-class solar flare recorded by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory
Astronomy News

Possible auroras down to northern-tier US States.

Never fails, these storms hit just when we have cloudy skies. But in case we get a clearing, watch for auroras around 13th, 14th. Also, if you have solar observing glasses such as the ones MonSFFA was given by the RASC MOntreal Centre at the January meeting, keep an eye on the sun anytime it peeks through the clouds. Lots of visible sunspots!
Space Weather News for Feb 12, 2024
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GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: A forecast model from NOAA shows multiple CMEs striking Earth on Feb. 13th. Their impacts could cause G2-class (Moderate) geomagnetic storms with auroras across northern-tier US States. Also, there’s a slim chance they might combine to form a more potent “Cannibal CME.” Full story @ Spaceweather.com.

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Above: A NOAA forecast model shows multiple CMEs en route to Earth.

 

Astronomy News

A SIGNIFICANT EXPLOSION ON THE SUN

Space Weather News for July 18, 2023
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A SIGNIFICANT EXPLOSION ON THE SUN: Giant sunspot AR3363 finally blew its top. An hours-long explosion on July 18th hurled a massive CME into space and triggered a radiation storm around Earth. The CME might graze our planet later this week. Full story @ Spaceweather.com.

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Above: Debris from today’s M6-class explosion. Credit: NASA/Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Astronomy News

Video of yesterday’s CME

Space Weather News for June 13, 2022
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MAGNIFICENT CME: Earlier today, an unusually slow solar flare hurled a magnificent CME into space. The explosion and its afterglow lasted nearly 8 hours. The CME could sideswipe Earth’s magnetosphere later this week, producing minor geomagnetic storms. Full story @ Spaceweather.com.

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Above: Visit Spaceweather.com to watch a movie of today’s CME

 

Astronomy News

EARTH-DIRECTED CME

Space Weather News for April 11, 2022
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EARTH-DIRECTED CME: A dead sunspot exploded today. The corpse of AR2987, which decayed days ago, erupted, and the debris is heading straight for Earth. A CME expected to arrive on April 14th could spark moderately-strong G2-class geomagnetic storms. Full story @ Spaceweather.com.

CME Alerts: Subscribers to our Space Weather Alert Service receive instant text messages when significant CMEs hit Earth’s magnetic field.
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Above: Old sunspot AR2987 erupting on April 11, 2022. Credit: NASA/SDO

 

Astronomy News

Class X1.3 Flare causes shortwave radio blackout

Space Weather News for March 30, 2022
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X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE: Earth-orbiting satellites have just detected a powerful explosion on the sun. The X1.3-class flare on March 30th (1737 UT) caused a shortwave radio blackout over the Americas and has almost certainly hurled a CME toward Earth. Follow this developing story @ Spaceweather.com.

Don’t miss another solar flare: Subscribers to our Space Weather Alert Service received a text message about this X-flare while it was happening. Such prompt notifications allow ham radio operators, amateur astronomers and others to react to flares before they fade away.
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Above: The extreme ultraviolet flash from today’s X-flare. Credit: NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

Astronomy News

A ‘CANNIBAL CME’ IS APPROACHING EARTH

Space Weather News for March 29, 2022
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A ‘CANNIBAL CME’ IS APPROACHING EARTH: A strong G3-class geomagnetic storm is possible later this week when a ‘Cannibal CME’ hits Earth’s magnetic field. It’s a ‘cannibal’ because it ate one of its own kind en route to our planet. The mash-up of two CMEs could spark naked-eye auroras visible from northern-tier US states. Full story @ Spaceweather.com.

Aurora Alerts: Sign up for Space Weather Alerts and get instant text notifications when geomagnetic storms are underway.
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Above: This frame from a NASA animation shows one CME overtaking another. The resulting merger is called a ‘Cannibal CME.’

Astronomy News

Watch the skies tonight, possible auroras!

Space Weather News for March 13, 2022
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CME SPARKS GEOMAGNETIC STORM: As predicted, a CME hit Earth’s magnetic field today, March 13th, sparking a moderately-strong G2-class geomagnetic storm. Depending on conditions in the CME’s wake, the storm could spill into March 14th. If it does, sky watchers in northern-tier US states might be able to see auroras after local nightfall. Stay tuned to Spaceweather.com for updates.

Aurora Alerts: Sign up for Space Weather Alerts and get instant text notifications when geomagnetic storms are underway.
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Above: First contact with the CME ignited bright auroras over Nome, Alaska. Photo credit: John Dean. Monitor the aurora photo gallery for more sightings.