Calling Blue_in_AK--Aurora Alert! Severe Space Storm Headed For Earth!

[Whoa_Nelly]

This ultraviolet view from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory
shows a flare bursting from sunspot 930 on the sun.
The sunspot unleashed an X-3 flare on Wednesday,
sending a radiation storm toward Earth.



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16187534/

Severe space storm headed for Earth

Satellites and power grids could face potential interruptions

By Robert Roy Britt
Senior Science Writer

Updated: 2:31 p.m. PT Dec 13, 2006
Space weather forecasters revised their predictions for storminess after a major solar flare erupted overnight, threatening damage to communication systems and power grids.

"We're looking for very strong, severe geomagnetic storming" to begin probably around midday Thursday, Joe Kunches, lead forecaster at the NOAA Space Environment Center, told Space.com Wednesday afternoon.

The storm is expected to generate aurorae or northern lights as far south as the northern United States on Thursday night. Astronauts aboard the international space station are not expected to be put at additional risk, Kunches said.

more at above link....



Some other links:

http://www.spaceweather.com/

AURORA ALERT: Sky watchers, be alert for auroras. A coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth today at approximately 1400 UT, and the impact may cause strong geomagnetic storms. Stay tuned for updates.

The CME was hurled toward Earth on Dec. 13th by an X3-class explosion from sunspot 930:



AND
http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Thanks, Whoa

At the moment it's somewhat cloudy here, but if it clears up tonight, I might head out and see if I can get some shots. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, so my guess is auroral activity will still be high by tomorrow night. (I have the aurora forecast site saved as one of my "favorites" so I'll check it.) This fall at the state fair I spoke with a photographer who specializes in northern lights photos and had some on display for sale. He gave me some tips, so maybe I'll get a chance to try some out. This has been a goal of mine.

[SPKrazy]

2. Cool!

mass coronal ejection!

look out!