Even more aurora thanks to an X7.9 flare.

[senorpepr]

The strongest solar flare of the year, an X7-class explosion, erupted this morning at 0700 GMT (2 a.m. EST).

Earth's magnetic field is still reverberating from a series of CME-hits this week. Another hit could be in store if this morning's X7-flare sent a CME toward Earth. Sky watchers, remain alert for auroras.


Sunspot 720 is huge--about as wide as the planet Jupiter. On Wednesday, Jan. 19th, Don Brown took this picture of the sun rising over Park City, Utah. The giant 'spot is clearly visible:


"This is an exellent case of a mostly photographic aurora--a deep reddish glow visible to the camera but not to the unaided eye," says Schur. "It started in the northern sky after midnight, and as the Kp index grew to 7 by early morning, the glow increased in size to more than 35 degrees over the northern horizon."

Above information thanks to spaceweather.com

[Aslkahuna]

Region 720, the site of the X-class activity is very close to the west limb now and so it's very likely that any CME produced by this event will mostly miss the Earth.

Steve

[cycloneye]

That is an impressive shot of it.

[Aslkahuna]

Actually, the AZ aurbo was a bit more than photographic as I detected it visually for brief periods of time when it would brighten up. It was a faint red glow low on the northern horizon. Of course this might be due to the fact that I have good night vision.

Steve

[Aslkahuna]

MY! That's crow is really tasty when barbequed AZ style. The Gemag field has taken a big hit and severe to extreme storm conditions are possible over the next 3-6 hours at least-if you have clear skies as sundown go out and look.

Steve