Large Coronal Hole Faces Earth / G1 Geomagnetic Storm Watches Issued for 16-17 of October

G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watches are in effect for 15, 16 and 17 October. The 15 October watch is for lingering effects from the 09 October CME while the 16-17 October watches are for expected influences from a recurrent, negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Solar Wind Speed: 667 km/sec. Solar Wind Magnetic Fields: Bt 7 nT, Bz 3 nT. A stream of solar wind flowing from a coronal hole on the sun is expected to reach Earth on Oct. 16th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras in the moonlight. 

Coronal holes are places in the sun’s atmosphere where the magnetic field opens up and allows normally-trapped solar wind to escape. This coronal hole is broad, and the emerging stream of solar wind could influence our planet for several days. 

SDO detected a pair of coronal mass ejections off the southeast limb on October 14th. Both are directed away from Earth. We will get a better look at the source region during the next 24-48 hours as the potential sunspot turns into Earth view.

Clips, images credit: NASA/SDO, SOHO LASCO/C2, LASCO/C3, spaceweather.com

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

http://www.solarham.net/

http://spaceweather.com/