ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6 -- Threshold Reached: 2012 Sep 031500 UTC

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK06
Serial Number: 291
Issue Time: 2012 Sep 03 1503 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2012 Sep 03 1500 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1200-1500 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees
Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents - Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude
power systems may experience voltage alarms.
Spacecraft - Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased
drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible.
Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes.
Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to
Washington state.

On 03/09/2012 16:07, Sam Wormley wrote:
Space Weather Message Code: ALTK06
Serial Number: 291
Issue Time: 2012 Sep 03 1503 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2012 Sep 03 1500 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1200-1500 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees
Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents - Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude
power systems may experience voltage alarms.
Spacecraft - Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased
drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible.
Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes.
Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to
Washington state.

Is this a real one or has the warning system gone berserk again?

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

The alert comes 2-3 days after:

Space Weather News for Sept. 1, 2012
http://spaceweather.com

MAGNIFICENT ERUPTION: On August 31st, a magnetic filament on the sun
erupted in spectacular fashion, producing a long-duration solar flare, a
coronal mass ejection (CME) and one of the most beautiful movies of an
explosion ever recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. The CME
propelled by the blast might deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic
field in the days ahead. Check http://spaceweather.com for movies,
forecasts and updates.

On 9/3/12 10:28 AM, Martin Brown wrote:
Is this a real one or has the warning system gone berserk again?

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

This one is the real thing!
See: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov

CME IMPACT, GEOMAGNETIC STORM: As expected, a coronal mass
ejection hit Earth on Sept. 3rd at approximately 1200 UT
(5 am PDT). The impact induced significant ground currents
in the soil of northern Scandinavia and sparked bright auroras
around the Arctic Circle. A moderate geomagnetic storm is underway.
See: http://spaceweather.com

Regards,
-Sam

On Sep 3, 5:07*pm, Sam Wormley wrote:
Space Weather Message Code: ALTK06
Serial Number: 291
Issue Time: 2012 Sep 03 1503 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2012 Sep 03 1500 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1200-1500 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found atwww.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales

Potential Impacts:

It is wonderful being an astronomer and being capable of looking at
these CME's in an impromptu manner and the potential impacts it has
for studying the internal dynamics of the Earth and especially the
high probability of latitudinal differential rotation common to all
rotating celestial objects with exposed viscous compositions.I
believe people find it easier to talk about imaginative forces and
celestial objects then work through the intricate and technical
details of complex systems such as planetary shape,geological
evolution,the magnetic field and all other topics tied to a rotating
planet.

I do not know what empiricists see when CME's produce effects on a
planet's magnetic field but I see the astronomical equivalent of
scattering iron filings on a paper covering a magnet.It takes a while
to become accustomed to the cross referencing between dynamics, their
effects and especially planetary comparisons but again,once a person
develops familiarity to the few principles,the topics become
enjoyable,productive and everything astronomy should be.

Again,it takes an astronomer and you should try it sometime.