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Friday, September 16, 2005

AURORA WATCH !

Source: Spaceweather.com

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Comments: Leave your comments at the end of the article. There are currently 1 comments for this article.

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photo: Aurora! - Energetic particles from the "Solar Wind" colliding with Earth's upper atmosphere - CoastView File Photo

After a wild month of aurora activity in the middle of what should be a quiet period in the 11 year solar cycle, Tasmania is again on watch for Aurora Australis - the “Southern Lights”.

In the wake of a recent Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from sunspot 798 there is a chance to see an Aurora, clear skys willing, tonight. (View a CME from 1997 here)

Keep your eye on this plot of estimated Kp index. ( What is the Kp Index ? )  Depending on the exact location and the time of viewing, Tasmanians need a minimum Kp index between roughly 5 and 7 to witness an Aurora. ( Check out the follow map for more details on the midnight equatorward boundaries. ) Todays estimated planetary Kp Index had built from 5 to 7 but is back down to 5 at the moment.  Kp values of 5 or higher are considered “Geomagnetic Storms”.

You can also check out a plot of estimated Auroral activity from the NOAA POES satellite.

For a good reference check out these tips on viewing Aurora.

If we do get an Aurora tonight lets hope the clouds and showers don’t spoil the show!  However, according to spaceweather.com,  “that giant ‘spot is still facing Earth and crackling with solar flares. More CMEs and auroras are possible in the days ahead.”


Posted by The Skipper on Fri, September 16, 2005 at 08:01 AM

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Comments from (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) in Mumbai (India)

Really Such A Brilliant And Spectacular View .
Im Mesemerised.
A Good Show.
Keep It Up .
Hoping Of Some More In Future.

Ruchi Badola from Mumbai (India)

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