#space #astronomy
Originally shared by Camilla CoronaYesterday's X1.4 class solar flare and the associated Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). These coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are balloon-shaped bursts of solar wind rising above the solar corona, expanding as they climb.
Solar plasma is heated to tens of millions of degrees, and electrons, protons, and heavy nuclei are accelerated to near the speed of light. The super-heated electrons from CMEs move along the magnetic field lines faster than the solar wind can flow. Rearrangement of the magnetic field, and solar flares may result in the formation of a shock that accelerates particles ahead of the CME loop.
Each CME releases up to 100 billion kg (220 billion lb) of this material, and the speed of the ejection can reach 1400 km/second like in yesterday's flare. Solar flares and CMEs are currently the biggest "explosions" in our solar system, roughly approaching the power in ONE BILLION hydrogen bombs!
With the arrival of this CME on Saturday July 14, 2012 at 10:20 UT (plus/minus 7 hours), we will most likely experience geomagnetic activities. The estimated Kp is between 6 and 8, which translates into moderate to severe geomagnetic storms.
One very positive about this event is that aurorae could be visible between the yellow and the red line. Of course the weather has to cooperate and light pollution of a city can wash out the aurorae. This time around the Moon is not playing a big role.
Perhaps you can't see the aurorae with your eyes, but your camera on long-exposure might. Give it a try and let us know!
Credit: NOAA / NASA
#SpaceWeather #NASA #NOAA #Aurora
