Solar Storm Warning: Geomagnetic K-index of 6 - NASA's SDO Reveals Huge 'Coronal Hole' on the Solar Surface (+Videos)

Solar Storm Warning: Geomagnetic K-index of 6  & M2.9 Class Solar Flare

G2-Moderate Geomagnetic Storm conditions were observed on 27 August at 0339  UTC following a prolonged disturbance in the Earth’s magnetosphere. Enhanced conditions are expected to last for the next few hours.
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g2-moderate-geomagnetic-storming-observed

UPDATE  04:00 UTC: The moderate G2 storm threshold has been reached. Visual aurora is likely across northern tier sections of the United States, Canada and Alaska.

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2015 Aug 27 0339 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0300-0600 UTC
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 – Moderate  http://www.solarham.net/
 

M2.9 CLASS SOLAR FLARE

Approximate Flare Start  :  27-08-2015 0536 UT 
Approximate Flare Maximum:  27-08-2015 0544 UT  at Flux M 2.9
Approximate Flare End    :  27-08-2015 0616 UT 
LOCATION OF HF FADEOUT: SE Asia/India/  http://www.ips.gov.au/Solar/1/8
 

These images were taken by NASA’s SDO solar spacecraft  http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/
 

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is monitoring a huge hole in the sun’s atmosphere–a “coronal hole.”

Coronal holes are places where the sun’s magnetic field opens up and allows solar wind to escape.
The wind speed can reach 500 miles (800 km) per second.

A stream of solar wind flowing from this coronal hole will probably reach Earth on Aug. 28-29. Its impact could spark a geomagnetic storm at the end of this week. 
If so, bright moonlight will temper the visibility of any auroras.  http://spaceweather.com/
 

Image credit: NASA