1st CME arrives.. Geomagnetic storming ahead!

[Jim Hughes]

The first CME's has finally arrived and this may just be the beginning of a very wild next few days. ACE recorded a strong solar wind shock of approximately 120 km/sec just slightly before 09/1320z.

The solar wind speed is hovering around the 500 km/sec range or slightly lower. This event has also brought along stronger particles with it and proton level are on the rise again.

The density was not all that high prior to the arrival nor is it extremely high right now although some of the ACE data is contaminated. This is not uinusual during a strong proton event.

The proton density level has been in the 10-20 p/cc range. This tells me that we got lucky and we did not get a direct hit. We still are probably in for quite a geomagnetic storm and it can easily end up being severe at some higher latitudes.

Major storming at all latitudes is basically a given in my opinion. Not sure about the sudden impusle numbers just yet. More updates later as time permits. Keep your eyes on the sky tonight and look for the aurora.


http://www.sel.noaa.gov/rt_plots/mag_3d.html



Jim