potential for aurorae tonight

[Chip]

"Earth is bracing for a cosmic tsunami Tuesday night as tons of plasma from a massive solar flare head directly toward the planet."

 

[Quietman]

From the Spaceweather site:

AURORA WATCH: High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras tonight. One and possibly two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are heading toward Earth, propelled by the solar eruptions of August 1st (see below). NOAA forecasters estimate a 10% chance of major geomagnetic storms and a 45% chance of at least some geomagnetic activity when the clouds arrive on August 3rd and 4th.

Sounds a little more accurate than a COSMIC TSUNAMI!

 

[David Metsky]

I can't believe I have to remind folks to avoid discussing politics in this thread.

-dave-

 

[RollingRock]

Thanks so much for this tip. I'll be watching the skies tonight.

 

[JohnL]

I went out this morning just before 3AM and it was totally overcast. Maybe tonight....

JohnL

 

[Chip]

I went out this morning just before 3AM and it was totally overcast. Maybe tonight....

JohnL

Same here, about 3:30, not totally overcast, but saw nothing in the clearer areas.

 

[DougPaul]

Checked around 1AM. Also overcast.

Doug

 

[SAR-EMT40]

Same here, about 3:30, not totally overcast, but saw nothing in the clearer areas.

About the same time and ditto.

Keith

 

[DougPaul]

The high solar activity may cause problems with GPS. http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?n&storyid=9322

FWIW, my GPS is working normally as I type.


I am noticing a high background noise level on 6M (50 MHz) right now. Such noise levels are often caused by activity in the ionosphere.

Doug

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Too cloudy again last night here in the Hudson Valley of NY. But I was fortunate to see an interesting sideshow; a nearly blood red crescent moon rise shortly before 1am. No doubt the red color was just from the extreme humidity.

 

[Chip]

there were a few articles and pics on line about this;

http://www.examiner.com/x-53781-US-...eautiful-colors-light-up-the-sky-photos-video

http://www.popsci.com/science/artic...-sprays-earth-charged-plasma-beautiful-aurora

What I'd like to know is what all these middle aged guys are doing up at 3am ?

 

[DougPaul]

Hey--some of us were only up at 1 am!

Clear above, cloudy to the north. Still didn't see anything.


I did read report of a sighting in southern Norway. (Generally unusual.)

Doug

 

[Puck]

How long is this event suppose to last? I have seen northern lights occur for three consecutive nights.

 

[Blue]

Super clear night in Derry, NH - but nothing
I admit I didn't stay up late.

 

[Tom Rankin]

What I'd like to know is what all these middle aged guys are doing up at 3am ?

Astronomers love watching heavenly bodies, and the stars, moons and planets as well!

(Co-founder and Past President - Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association)

 

[Peakbagr]

Tom,

If its clear, any chance of seeing them tonight? If they are still around, how early in the evening might they be visible? Have to get up early tomorrow for my new job(hiking).
Look to the north?

Alan

 

[Quietman]

Check out this Chart from the Spaceweather site. If it starts increasing back into the red, chances are better. The site says that a 2nd peak is possible tonight.