Geomagnetic warning and Aurora Watch (4-5 August)

The SWS has issued a geomagnetic warning and aurora watch for 4-5 August (UT) due to an impact from a coronal holes high speed wind-stream. This is expected to arrive late in the UT day on the 4th (which is the morning of the 5th Australian time). The Space Weather Prediction Service has Predicted a G1-G2 storm on  4 August UT (with most of the action after sunrise on the 5th, but possibly G1 storms around 4 am).

If these geomagnetic events occur and result in aurora they could be seen from Tasmania and Southern Victoria, weather permitting. The Moon is waxing, and is setting around 4am in the early morning so will only modestly interfere with morning aurora. Be patient, as the activity may rise and fall of the magnetic polarity of the wind may fluctuate significantly.

Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing anything, and always allow around 5 minutes for your eyes to become dark adapted.

As always look to the south for shifting red/green glows, beams have been reported consistently over the last few aurora, as well as bright proton arcs and “picket fences”.

Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.  

A new aurora camera is being installed at Campania, Tasmania. A live feed of the images from this camera is  sill not available.

SUBJ: SWS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 17/36
ISSUED AT 0547UT/03 AUGUST 2017
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE.

During UT days 4-5 August expect an increase in geomagnetic activity
up to active to minor storm levels due to influence of the recurrent
coronal hole.

INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL HOLE HIGH SPEED WIND STREAM
FROM 04-05 AUGUST 2017
_____________________________________________________________

GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
04 Aug:  Active
05 Aug:  Active

_____________________________________________________________

SUBJ: SWS AURORA WATCH
ISSUED AT 0003 UT ON 04 Aug 2017 by Space Weather Services
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE

Effects of a coronal hole are expected to impact the Earth during the
next 48 hours, possibly resulting in significant geomagnetic activity
and visible auroras during local nighttime hours. Aurora sightings are
expected to be possible for Tasmania and coastline of Victoria. Aurora
alerts will follow if significant geomagnetic activity actually
occurs.