Astroblog: Aurora Alert NOW (13 May 2015)

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Aurora Alert NOW (13 May 2015)

An Aurora Alert and a geomagnetic alert has been issued by the Australian IPS for the 13th due to an anticipated impact from a coronal hole solar wind stream. This appears to have hit during daylight hours, but the geomagnetic storm may continue during the evening hours.This could translate into aurora at any time during the 13th. Glows have been reported, but Tasmania is suffering from cloud.

Currently, the Kindex is 4 (it's higher in the Hobart magnetometer, but I suspect a glitch), solar wind speed is 535 Km/sec and the direction magnetic field direction is southerly, only -4 nT, but this is favorable for developing aurora. Aurora, if they flare up tonight, are likely to be seen only in Tasmania (possibly Victoria).

Aurora can occur at any time after nightfall (although around midnight or just after seems to be common). Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing anything, and always allow around 5 minutes for your eyes to become dark adapted.

As always look to the south for shifting red/green glows, beams have been reported consistently over the last few aurora and a large green "blob" has been seen.

The all sky aurora camera in Southern Tasmania at Cressy may be helpful.
<http://www.ips.gov.au/Geophysical/4/2>

SUBJ: IPS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 15/18
ISSUED AT 2324UT/12 MAY 2015
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE.

INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL HOLE HIGH SPEED WIND STREAM
FOR 13 MAY 2015
_____________________________________________________________

GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
13 May: Active to Minor Storm

SUBJ: IPS AURORA ALERT HIGH LATITUDES
ISSUED AT 0620 UT ON 13 May 2015 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE

Follow the progress of this event on the IPS web site
by following the links to the Space Weather Status Panel,
Home > Space Weather

Further monitoring at
http://www.ips.gov.au

Labels: aurora