Saturday 31 August 2013

Solar Flare spark aurora alert



A full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed leaving the Sun at approximately 02.48 UT on 30 August. This was associated with a long duration C-class solar flare which originated in the Eastern half of the solar disc.

While the bulk of the ejecta is not earthbound, a glancing blow is expected to reach the Earth magnetic field during 1st September. The combined effect of this CME and the high speed solar wind stream from a coronal hole could cause a geomagnetic storm, thus increasing the chance of viewing the aurora over the weekend.

For more information and to keep up to date with developments please the BGS website: http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk. 

For more advice on viewing the Northern Lights please visit:


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