CME(Coronal Mass Ejection) From The Sun Arrives Tonight

I blogged 2 days ago about the massive solar flare the sun launched from sunspot 1158, which was the biggest in 4 years. Well tonight the CME or Coronal Mass Ejection from that flare will start to arrive here on earth tonight through tomorrow. This CME will interact with the Earth’s magnetic field creating a Geomagnetic storm. The storm could be around a G2 or possibly even a G3 level. The scale runs from G1 minor all the way to G5 extreme. The impacts will likely be in the form of communications blackouts to amazing aurora borealis sightings all the way down to the mid-latitudes. Here’s a full movie of the flare and CME, movie link.

From NOAA Space Weather Predictions Center…..The first interplanetary shock, driven by the CME from Sunday, is expected any time. Soon thereafter, the shock from Monday evening’s R3/CME is due. Look for G1-G2 (and maybe periods of G3 if the following shock compresses and enhances the CME magnetic field). Geomagnetic storming should persist 24- 48 hours. Back at the Sun, Region 1158 is still hot and fast-growing, Region 1161 is producing small flares.
Watch Today’s Space Weather for the most recent activity.

Current Sunspots.