Science

n2doc

(47,953 posts) Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:25 PM Jul 2012

Big Sunspot 1520 Releases X1.4 Class Flare With Earth-Directed CME

There is a coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with the July 12 X-class flare. Rough estimates based on the data currently available -- namely observations from STEREO-B (the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) -- show that the CME is traveling in an Earth direction at over 850 miles per second.

more

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/News071212-X1.4flare.html

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Big Sunspot 1520 Releases X1.4 Class Flare With Earth-Directed CME (Original Post) n2doc Jul 2012 OP

when that sunspot complex was rotating toward us ProdigalJunkMail Jul 2012 #1

When do we look for Aurora? longship Jul 2012 #2

July 14th around 10:20 UT n2doc Jul 2012 #3

For those ignorant of UTC longship Jul 2012 #4

X-class? That's a big 'un! Odin2005 Jul 2012 #5

The aurorae might be visible where you are HillWilliam Jul 2012 #6

ProdigalJunkMail

(12,017 posts)

1. when that sunspot complex was rotating toward us

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:36 PM

Jul 2012

i knew (well, strongly suspected) we might see this headline...

sP

longship

(40,416 posts)

2. When do we look for Aurora?

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:51 PM

Jul 2012

I live in rural MI. I don't have a dark sky site, but it's probably darker than most people's skies.

If there's going to be aurora, I'd like to know. Unfortunately, the INet is painful here.

DU is the one site that works fast enough on a slow connection iPhone. Kudos to Skinner and the DU team.

Thanks.

n2doc

(47,953 posts)

3. July 14th around 10:20 UT

Reply to longship (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:54 PM

Jul 2012

According to a forecast track prepared by analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab, the CME will hit Earth on July 14th around 10:20 UT (+/- 7 hours) and could spark strong geomagnetic storms. Sky watchers should be alert for auroras this weekend.

more
http://Spaceweather.com/

longship

(40,416 posts)

4. For those ignorant of UTC

Reply to n2doc (Reply #3)

Thu Jul 12, 2012, 08:57 PM

Jul 2012

EDT is four hours earlier. In other words, 14 Jul 10:20 UTC is 14 Jul 6:20 EDT.

Adjust per your time zone.

CDT -1
MDT -2
PDT -3

If you do not observe DST, subtract an hour.

Thanks, n2doc. May even get my 256 mm Dobsonian out that night if it's clear.

Odin2005

(53,521 posts)

5. X-class? That's a big 'un!

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 12, 2012, 09:08 PM

Jul 2012

HillWilliam

(3,310 posts)

6. The aurorae might be visible where you are

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Sun Jul 15, 2012, 08:53 AM

Jul 2012

I found this site this morning: http://www.softservenews.com/Aurora.htm

I'm at the southernmost edge, so it's iffy whether I'd be able to see it this evening, but if you're in the northern half of the US or anywhere in Canada, you have a decent chance. The aurora borealis is one of my bucket-list "must-sees". (Who says physics can't be pretty.)

Reply to this discussion