[Aurora Alert] Geomagnetic warning and Aurora Watch (10-11 September)

The SWS has issued a geomagnetic warning and aurora watch for 10-11 September (UT) due to ongoing solar wind streams from a coronal hole. This anytime during the UT day on the 10th, with activity extending out to the 11th.  The SWS predicts active conditions with the possibility of outbreaks of minor storms on the 11th.  It is not clear if the solar wind will impact during night time hours, abut it would pay to be alert form twilight on the 11th..

If these geomagnetic events occur and result in aurora they could be seen from Tasmania weather permitting. The Moon is just past New  and will not significantly interfere with seeing aurora. Be patient, as the activity may rise and fall of the magnetic polarity of the wind may fluctuate significantly.

This event is unlikely to be spectacular, but still worth a look as viewing conditions are good (the Full Moon aurora on August 26 was good for those with clear skies despite the Moonlight, as was very active despite initial predictions of not much hapening).

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”. A double arc,  blobs, and curtains were seen in Septembers aurora  last despite the moonlight.

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 still not available.

SUBJ: SWS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 18/19
ISSUED AT 0031UT/10 SEPTEMBER 2018
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE.

Geomagnetic activity is expected to increase to Active levels
due to the arrival of CIR and HSS associated with a recurrent
equatorial positive polarity coronal hole. A period of significant
southward Bz component could produce Minor Storm levels.

INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL HOLE HIGH SPEED WIND STREAM
FROM 10-11 SEPTEMBER 2018
_____________________________________________________________

GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
10 Sep:  Quiet to Active. An isolated Minor Storm period is also possible.
11 Sep:  Active to Minor Storm

_____________________________________________________________
SUBJ: SWS AURORA WATCH
ISSUED AT 0047 UT ON 10 Sep 2018 by Space Weather Services
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE

Effects of a coronal hole are expected to impact the Earth within the
next 24 hours, possibly resulting in Minor Storm geomagnetic activity
and visible auroras during local nighttime hours at high latitudes
such as Tasmania. Aurora alerts will follow if significant geomagnetic
activity actually occurs.

Visit the SWS Aurora webpage http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Aurora for current
aurora viewing conditions.

Our Aurora forecasting tool, located at
http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Aurora/3/1, may help to estimate regions
from where aurora would be visible.