Sunspot 1041
Posted by JAC on 1/22/2010, 12:28 pm
Sunspot 1041 is calming down.

After reeling off a string of five M-class solar flares between Jan. 18th and 20th, there have been no significant eruptions since.



Although it's been a calm day, the magnetic field of sunspot 1041 still harbors energy for strong eruptions.

NOAA forecasters estimate a 35% chance of more M-flares during the next 24 hours.

As predicted, a solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field on Jan. 20th and sparked bright auroras around the Arctic Circle.

"There were fast-moving streamers and stunning coronas," says Petter Hamnes of Mo i Rana, Norway.

"It was one of the best displays I've seen in a long time."

He took this picture using his Nikon D300:






The solar wind's impact caused a geomagnetic storm registering 5 on the 0-to-9 K-index scale of magnetic disturbances.

http://www.spaceweather.com/glossary/kp.html?PHPSESSID=fsgpgm7vrki7bkc8v8g0vdnmd1

It was the first geomagnetic storm of the year--but probably not the last.

With active sunspot 1041 turning toward Earth, there could be more in the offing.

High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras.




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Swarm starting back up at Yellowstone? - JAC, 1/18/2010, 1:52 pm
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