One and perhaps even a second CME passed Earth today resulting in a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm. The Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is also tipped south and this is adding fuel to the storm.
The strong (G3) geomagnetic storm threshold was reached at 17:35 UTC (Nov 5).
Solar Wind Speed: 462 km/sec
Solar Wind Magnetic Fields: Bt 16 nT, Bz -7 nT
The CME impact sparked auroras in Norway, UK, Scotland, Czechia, Hungary, Austria, Italy. It’s also sparked auroras in more than a dozen US states. The potential remains for additional periods of G3 and greater storming as Europe and the Americas transition into the night time sector.
M-Flares
In other news, solar activity reached moderate levels with a pair of M-Flares.
AR 3480 was responsible for an M1.8 flare at 11:43 UTC (Nov 5) and this was followed up by an M1.7 flare at 14:32 UTC. Neither event should be associated with a noteworthy CME.
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Images credit: NOAA/SWPC, AIA/SDO, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, nemesis maturity channel,
’Music credit: YouTube Audio Library