Aurora Watch and Geomagnetic alert (21 December)

The Australian Space Weather Service (SWS) has now  issued a Geomagnetic Alert an Aurora Watch for possible aurora on 21 December UT from ongoing geomagnetic activity from an aurora producing CME impact yesterday.

There is currently a planetary index of 6, but this is in daylight, it is likely that G1 storm conditions may persist until after sunset. The NOAA site has a predicted G1/G2 storm for tonight.  IF the current conditions do persist until after twilight, there is a strong possibility we will get unaided eye visible aurora in both Tasmania and the Southern mainland based on yesterdays events,. Evening skies have a waxing Moon, which will interfere a bit with seeing aurora (it didn’t interfere that much last night).

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 and a large green “blob” has been seen, 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.  

The all sky aurora camera in Northern Tasmania at Cressy may be helpful.
http://www.ips.gov.au/Geophysical/4/2>

GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN PROGRESS. AURORA MAY BE OBSERVED
DURING LOCAL NIGHT TIME HOURS IN GOOD OBSERVING CONDITIONS
AT HIGH LATITUDES.

Follow the progress of this event on the IPS web site
by following the links to the Space Weather Status Panel,
Home > Space Weather

IPS would appreciate any feedback from people observing an
aurora giving details of location and time. Please provide
details at: http://www.ips.gov.au/Geophysical/2/5
Previous reports of observed aurora are archived under
http://www.ips.gov.au/mailman/listinfo/ips-aurora-sightings
SUBJ: IPS AURORA WATCH
ISSUED AT 0316 UT ON 21 Dec 2015 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE

A significant geomagnetic storm has been in progress for the past 24
hours. Bright auroras at multiple wavelengths were visible in Tasmania
on the night of Dec 20. Aurora may again be visible in Tasmania and
possibly Southern Victoria on the night of Dec 21 if geomagnetic
activity persists at present levels into local night hours. Prevailing
bright moonlight may hinder observation. Aurora alerts will follow
should favourable space weather activity eventuate.

SUBJ: SWS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 15/60
ISSUED AT 2224UT/17 DECEMBER 2015
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE.

Two coronal mass ejections observed Dec 16 are expected to impact
the Earth in sequence late Dec 18 to early Dec 19. Brief minor
to major geomagnetic storm conditions may result.

IINCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL MASS EJECTION
FROM 20-21 DECEMBER 2015
_____________________________________________________________

GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
20 Dec:  Active
21 Dec:  Quiet to Unsettled