Coronal Mass Ejections 2011 August 4: It’s Time You tuned in to Space Weather

Posted On August 6, 2011

Official NOAA spokesman Dr. Doug Biesecker talks about the August 4 coronal mass ejections, 3 of them all earth bound. This comes up to the highest of M class flares and will not cause any direct biological damage, but may cause satellite and power grid disruptions.

It’s just about that time for folks to realize we are in the 21st century. NASA scientists have these satellites observing the sun’s every movement. They know that what the sun does affects the earth. Satellite names are Stereo A and B, SOHO, etc.

Here are the latest news:

2200Z, August 5, 2011 – In the wake of the shocked solar wind, G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storm conditions have been seen already, and a warning for G3 (Strong) Storming has been issued. Strong, Prolonged Southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field and fast solar wind continue to fuel the disturbance.

1800Z, August 5, 2011 – The shock passed ACE just over 30 minutes ago; watch now for more geomagnetic and solar radiation storm activity.

1400Z, August 5, 2011 – Conditions have quieted since the arrival of the first shock late yesterday. Its passage did not excite the geomagnetic field much, as was predicted — rather it’s the still-expected jolt from two others still on the way. ACE low energy proton data show there’s still a good chance of their arrival any time soon.

Meanwhile back at the Sun, the active regions that have been so productive the past few days have been either stable or in decay in the past day. Keep a watch here for further developments, both nearer the Earth or back at the Sun.

2300Z, August 4, 2011 – The first of the three shocks arrived at 2155Z, about one hour ago. So far, only slight disturbances to the geomagnetic field, but there is plenty of action still anticipated. See a video of a SWPC researcher talking about this activity and what we can expect: Video
1500Z, August 4, 2011 – Great anticipation for the first of what may be three convergent shocks to slam the geomagnetic field in the next twelve hours, +/-. The CME with the Radio Blackout earlier today is by far the fastest, and may catch its forerunners in the early hours of August 5 (UTC) — at earth.

Two impacts are expected; G2 (Moderate) to G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storming on August 5, and potentially elevated protons to the S2 (Moderate) Solar Radiation Storm condition, those piling up ahead of the shock. The source of it all, Region 1261, is still hot, so more eruptions are possible.

From the National Weather Service: Space Weather Prediction Center

For example, if something of this magnitude and larger were to hit the earth next time, I would not ride an airplane during those dates.

See more space news at http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/WhatsNew.html