G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storms Observed on 20 December / Sunspot WATCH (+Video)

SUNSPOT WATCH / G2 (MODERATE) GEOMAGNETIC STORMS OBSERVED ON 20 DECEMBER

An enhanced solar wind environment and prolonged period of southward magnetic field, associated with the passage of a coronal mass ejection, has caused planetary G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storms.  G2 storm levels were first observed at 20/0519 UTC (0019 EDT) and G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions are expected to persist until 1000 UTC (0500 EDT) on 20 December as this event continues.

Solar Wind Speed: 403 km/sec Solar Wind Magnetic Fields: Bt 10 nT, Bz -6 nT
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g2-moderate-geomagnetic-storms-observed-20-december
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
http://www.northernlighthouse.ca/geomagnetic-storms/

Sunspot Watch 
An active region located just behind the east limb produced at least two moderate to strong solar flares on Saturday. The source of these explosions should begin to appear within the next 24 hours.
http://www.solarham.net/

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A G2-class geomagnetic storm is in progress on Dec. 20th as Earth moves through the wake of a CME that struck our planet’s magnetic field yesterday. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. http://spaceweather.com/

These images were taken by the Helioviewer.org  http://helioviewer.org/
 

Image credit: NASA