An Aurora Watch alert issued today

In summary, An aurora alert has been issued for August 23rd due to a coronal mass ejection from a solar filament eruption on August 20th. It is expected to be a glancing blow and may produce auroras due to magnetic field structures within the ejected plasma. Uncertainties still remain and updates can be found at http://www.ips.gov.au/. The event will occur around midnight or early morning on August 24th in Australian Eastern Standard Time.
  • #1
davenn
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hey guys
anyone interested in seeing and or photographing aurorae
an alert has been issued today 21 Aug 2013

SUBJ: IPS AURORA WATCH
ISSUED AT 0043 UT ON 21 Aug 2013 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE


A coronal mass ejection from a solar filament eruption was observed on
the 20th of August and is expected to strike the Earth midway through
the day on the 23rd of August UT (around midnight or early morning on
the 24th of August AEST). The CME was directed mostly to the south, so
this will be a glancing blow at best. However, recent CMEs of solar
filament origin have been more effective at producing Auroras than
might be expected from coronagraph images alone, due to the magnetic
field structures within the ejected plasma behaving differently to
flare produced CMEs and being more favourable for producing Aurora.

Significant uncertainties in the analysis of this event remain, so
Aurora watchers are advised to follow the progress of this event at
http://www.ips.gov.au/.


AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time

cheers
Dave
 
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  • #2
Fascinating. Thanks for the heads up dave.
 
  • #3
Nice! I wish I was back in Iceland! :(
 

1. What is an Aurora Watch alert?

An Aurora Watch alert is a notification issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) when there is an increased likelihood of an aurora, also known as the Northern Lights, being visible in a specific area. This alert is based on data from satellites and ground-based observatories that monitor space weather conditions.

2. How is an Aurora Watch alert issued?

An Aurora Watch alert is issued when the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) detects a significant increase in solar activity that could result in auroral activity. The SWPC then sends out a public alert through various channels, such as social media, email, and text messages, to inform people of the potential for viewing the Northern Lights.

3. What does an Aurora Watch alert mean?

An Aurora Watch alert means that there is a chance of seeing the Northern Lights in the designated area. However, it does not guarantee that the aurora will be visible. Factors such as weather conditions, light pollution, and the strength of the aurora itself can affect its visibility.

4. How accurate are Aurora Watch alerts?

Aurora Watch alerts are based on scientific data and are generally accurate in predicting the potential for auroral activity. However, the intensity and visibility of the Northern Lights can vary greatly, so it is not always possible to predict exactly how they will appear.

5. What should I do when I receive an Aurora Watch alert?

If you receive an Aurora Watch alert, it is recommended to find a dark, unobstructed location away from city lights to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Keep an eye on the sky and be patient, as the aurora may take some time to appear. It is also a good idea to dress warmly and bring a camera to capture the beautiful light show.

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