NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory observed a massive "ultraviolet flash" emitted from the sun, which has turned out to be the largest solar radiation storm since 2005. This M9-class coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to hit earth today the 24th of January at 9 am EST, and could cause widespread communications interference and damage to electrical systems and structures.
http://www.spaceweather.com/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-...ion-countdown/


Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab say the leading edge of the CME will reach Earth on Jan. 24 at 14:18UT (+/- 7 hours).
http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/downloads/...im.tim-den.gif

Warning Timeline
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/alerts/warnings_timeline.html

I guess the people up in N. Scotland could be treated to more views of Aurora Borealis tonight then??

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/ga...ts?INTCMP=SRCH

Lucky devils!

"I, I don't know what it is Captain, but it's, it's beautiful."

"I think they're trying to communicate..."

What do the black and white stringy things represent?

The interplanetary magnetic field lines of course

Of course, how silly of me

We're all stars here, or fruits. Don't stare at the star.

Not just the North of Scotland - I've seen the Aurora Borealis from the south west tip of England (in about 2001?). I was sitting in my friend's house in Sennen Cove (not far from Land's End) wondering why the hotel at Cape Cornwall were putting on such a spectacular light display, when I learnt the next morning that there was no such display and in fact it had been the northern lights.

Apparently, it is not that uncommon in that area.

Fixed etc.

As promised by nature, the night display in the Northern Hemisphere was amazing. Did anyone see anything here in Switzerland?

Photos here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

And a video of the recent aurora in skies above Sweden.

http://vimeo.com/35618405

That photo is just a huge wooooow!

Seeing a good display of the AB is one of the things I want to do before I die.

PaddyG!Makes to of usDo we have to stay after class now ?

We used to have them in Minnesota . I saw em 2x and I must say that I believe it is the most breath taking thing I have ever seen and heard (they make a sound also for those of you who didnt know)

A X2-class solar flare has been unleashed on January 27th at 18:37 UT. The sunspot is rotating on the far side of the sun and therefore the blast site is not facing Earth. Nevertheless, energetic protons accelerated by the blast are now surrounding the planet and so we are in for more auroras.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=fm2JuL9RHlU


Classifications of X-ray Solar Flares from Spaceweather.com:
"Scientists classify solar flares according to their x-ray brightness in the wavelength range 1 to 8 Angstroms. There are 3 categories: X-class flares are big; they are major events that can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms. M-class flares are medium-sized; they can cause brief radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow an M-class flare. Compared to X- and M-class events, C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth."

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in the fruit salad