We are currently near a maximum in the 11-year cycle of solar activity. Over the past week, there were several ejections of plasma and high-energy particles associated with a large, Earth-facing sunspot. These coronal mass ejections began interacting with the Earth's magnetic field today, resulting in significant auroral activity in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. For the first time since 2003, the Space Weather Prediction Center indicated
G5 conditions for the first time since 2003. G5 is the highest rating on a
5-point scale of geomagnetic storm intensity, and may have a wide range of potential consequences for unprotected power systems, GPS, and satellite communications. Geomagnetic storm conditions are forecast to likely persist through the weekend.
Aurora may be unusually bright and visible from abnormally low latitudes due to the intensity of this event.


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