Aurora Visible NOW (August 3, 2016)

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Unaided eye aurora are being reported from Bendigo Victoria, and multiple sites in Tasmania (Huon, Kettering, Beulah, Exeter). Head out now. The Australian Space Weather Service (SWS ) has now  issued a  Geomagnetic Warning and an Aurora Watch for tonight and tomorrow (obviously this has come true with unaided eye aurora now). Evening and morning skies are Moon free, but cloud is problematic (although clearing). Hobart Kindex is 6(!), Velocity: 438 km/sec Bz: -8.0 nT (varying up to -15) Density = 7.0 p/cc  See also http://www.aurora-service.net/aurora-forecast/ 

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”.

As well all five bright planets are visible in the early evening sky to the west, and during the month there are several close planet/Moon. Planet/planet and Planet Star meetings.  For details see this link.
http://astroblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/a-rare-planet-dance-in-august-2016.html
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>

SUBJ: SWS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 16/33
ISSUED AT 2351UT/02 AUGUST 2016
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE.

The solar winds to expected to enhance later today (3 Aug) and
continue through tomorrow (4 Aug) in response to the approaching
high speed streams from a large positive polarity equatorial
coronal hole. In the previous rotation, the daily mean solar
wind speeds were greater than 500 km/s for at least 7 consecutive
days during the passage of this coronal holes. Similar effects
are expected in this rotations. Active geomagnetic conditions
and at times reaching storm levels are expected in response to
the disturbed solar wind conditions. The aurora may be visible
on the local nights of 3 and 4 August from Tasmania and some
parts of Victoria, Australia, provided metrological conditions
are favourable.

INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL HOLE HIGH SPEED WIND STREAM
FROM 03-04 AUGUST 2016
_____________________________________________________________

GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
03 Aug:  Active to Minor Storm
04 Aug:  Active

SUBJ: SWS AURORA WATCH
ISSUED AT 2354 UT ON 02 Aug 2016 by Space Weather Services
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE

The solar winds to expected to enhance later today (3 Aug) and
continue through tomorrow (4 Aug) in response to the approaching high
speed streams from a large positive polarity equatorial coronal hole.
In the previous rotation, the daily mean solar wind speeds were
greater than 500 km/s for at least 7 consecutive days during the
passage of this coronal holes. Similar effects are expected in this
rotations. Active geomagnetic conditions and at times reaching storm
levels are expected in response to the disturbed solar wind
conditions. The aurora may be visible on the local nights of 3 and 4
August from Tasmania and some parts of Victoria, Australia, provided
metrological conditions are favourable.

Further monitoring at
http://www.ips.gov.au