Hi, everyone! I made a quick guide with my tips of how to see the aurora, since I get this question a lot! It covers where and when to go as well as some insider tips to improve your chances to see the lights.
Read on!
Thanks for reading my guide! Let me know what you think, and if you have any feedback on how I can improve future guides, don't hold back! While I like to share photos on here, I enjoy helping others experience the beauty of the aurora even more!
A coronal hole is currently sending a high-speed stream of solar wind at Earth, and we're beginning to feel it!
But, what are coronal holes, how can they affect Earth, are they dangerous, normal, and should you worry about them?
Let's take a deep dive into CORONAL HOLES! 🧵
If you downloaded my beginner's guide e-book on aurora chasing, you would already know the necessary info on coronal holes. Check out these screenshots detailing coronal holes and their effects on Earth and auroras. Get my e-book for free using this link: bit.ly/free-aurora-e-…
Okay, shameless plug over...
First of all, let me say the reason I am creating this thread now is because of all the hype coronal holes (CH) have received lately, and for largely no reason. Yes, we have one facing Earth now, but CH are normal and nothing to worry about.
A list of PSAs as we await a predicted major (G3) geomagnetic storm this week:
1. The CMEs could impact anytime tonight or tomorrow. The CME may hit tomorrow during the day, too, and completely fizzle out before nighttime. Models only get you so far...
2. I personally don't see any signature in low-energy particle fluxes to suggest a CME arrival at L1 *soon*. There may be a rise now and slight bump in solar wind, but it could be a small random blob of CME. EPAM is not a for sure sign of a CME, just another positive indicator.
Another warning on EPAM - there have been a lot of flares and general mess on the Sun and heliosphere. EPAM may pick up these other disturbances and make analysis hard. Don't get fooled by false flags and fake outs. Also, no one is a fortune teller with a perfect record.
1. Impact timing moved from 1 UTC Dec 31 --> 15 UT Dec 31
2. 1-2 punch - Two CMEs potentially arriving midday-late UTC on Dec 31. This could cause higher geomagnetic activity. Kp 6-7 storming seems most likely, not G4 imo.
NASA model: Impact evening hours UTC on Dec 31. Kp 6-8 predicted.
Unlike NOAA and HUXt, NASA M2M has not added a composite model with the multiple Earth-directed CMEs, yet.
Official prediction from @NWSSWPC calling for potential impact of the first CME around 2024-12-31 15 UTC and another impact around 2025-1-1 6 UTC. They have released a G3 watch for 2024-12-31 and G1/G2 watch for 2025-1-1.
There is a chance of aurora and a G3/Kp 7 geomagnetic storm for December 31 UTC day. 2024 has truly been the "Year of the Aurora," and it could end with quite the bang! Keep reading to find out where and when we could see the aurora before the New Year! 🧵
Here is the official bulletin from @NWSSWPC who are predicting a G3/Kp 7 geomagnetic storm as a result of a coronal mass ejection, or CME. Since these bulletins are hard to read if you are not accustomed to the space weather lingo, let me break things down for you...
Before I begin, though, all this information + more was just sent out in an aurora alert email sent to around 25,000 of my email subscribers. I send these emails out whenever geomagnetic activity looks promising, and you can sign up here: tinyurl.com/Auroraupdatesn…
Why are auroras becoming more frequent globally, even in regions far from the poles?
I get this question a lot, but recently, I have been flooded with the simple question, "Is this normal?" Let me explain why we are seeing more auroras this year.
While there is space weather activity every day, and things change on the order of minutes, hours, and days, the Sun controls the climate in space and operates on an 11-year activity cycle called the solar cycle.
Every 11 years, the Sun goes through a less active phase called solar minimum and a more active phase called solar maximum. It's important to stress that solar maximum is like a "season" on the Sun, and space weather activity can be higher for a few years during this season.
G4 GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH MEGATHREAD (continuously updated)
When will you see northern lights tomorrow?
Who will see them?
When is the CME impacting?
What's going on?
How can I make sure I see the aurora?
Will I see the aurora where I live?
Let me try and answer these Qs.
This will be a long thread. A synposis will be sent to my email list via an aurora alert summarizing all the activity going on. You will also get my 60+ page aurora chasing e-book for free which is the highest-rated aurora e-book online. Sign up: bit.ly/free-aurora-e-…
What happened: An X1.8 flare from Active Region 3848 launched a cloud of plasma into space which is directed towards Earth. These CMEs carry billions of tons of charged particles out into space in a croissant-shaped bubble with an magnetic rope inside.