Special Edition IRIS First Light HD

 

Best viewed with window expanded.

As the telescope door opened on July 17, 2013, IRIS’s single instrument began to observe the sun in exceptional detail. IRIS’s first images showed a multitude of thin, fibril-like structures that have never been seen before, revealing enormous contrasts in density and temperature occur throughout this region even between neighboring loops that are only a few hundred miles apart. The images also show spots that rapidly brighten and dim, which provide clues to how energy is transported and absorbed throughout the region.

 

19 07 2013 Geomagnetic Storm HD

  
Best viewed with window expanded
A faint CME from July 16th is delivering a glancing blow to our geomagnetic field late on July 18th/19. This in itself is not expected to cause storming, however when you factor in the coronal hole solar wind stream expected to arrive at nearly the same time, this could help generate minor geomagnetic storming at high latitudes.
The solar wind carries with it the magnetic field of the Sun. This magnetic field or the IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) has a particular orientation - southward or northward. If the IMF of the solar wind is southward and the solar wind crosses the Earth for long periods of time, geomagnetic storms can be expected.

The southward IMF causes magnetic and particle energy to be injected into the Earth's magnetosphere creating storms.

10 07 2013 CME IMPACT -- GEOMAGNETIC STORM HD

   

Best viewed with window expanded

A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) swept past Earth on Tuesday afternoon. The ACE Spacecraft detected an interplanetary shock at 19:58 UTC. A geomagnetic sudden impulse measuring 25nT was detected at 20:49 UTC. This signaled the passage of the IP shock past our planet. The initial impact was weak, however a south tilting solar wind / Bz component aided in raising geomagnetic activity.

Interplanetary Mag. Field

Btotal: 10.7 nT

Bz: 9.4 nT south

Planetary K-index

Now: Kp= 3 quiet

24-hr max: Kp= 5 storm

Bz South: The Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) tipped south (-10 nT) for a long duration. A minor G1 Level Geomagnetic Storm resulted at high latitudes.

Despite its unstable magnetic field, big sunspot AR1785 has resisted exploding.

Sunspot

Despite its unstable magnetic field, big sunspot AR1785 has resisted exploding.

1785 has Beta-Gamma-Delta configuration

Both Sunspots 1785 and 1787 will remain the regions of focus today, with 1785 being the biggest threat for a moderate solar flare (NOAA estimates 55% probability).

Due to return within the next couple of days

1775 S26 

Aurora over Alberta, Canada - Mike Isaak

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5

Threshold Reached: 2013 Jul 10 0257 UTC

Synoptic Period: 0000-0300 UTC

Active Warning: Yes

NOAA Scale: G1 - Minor

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.

Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.

Spacecraft - Minor impact on satellite operations possible.

Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.

Links to visit

Merlin the Fiery Beast 

Facebook