Polar Storm Warning

To get an idea of how far away our sun really is, all you have to do is check out Space Weather.  Currently there are 2 CME's (Coronal Mass Ejections) on their way to Earth.  These two CME's were expelled from the sun on August 20-21.  Yet they won't arrive at Earth until this weekend (Aug 23-24).  

This also tells us that CME's travel much slower than the speed of light.  Light from the sun only takes 8 minutes to arrive at Earth.

In any case, when the CME's interact with Earth's magnetic field they will trigger auroras around Earth's north and south poles.  How far south the auroras may be visible is anyones guess.  But if you happen to be outside and the sky is clear look toward the north.  If you see a shimmering curtain like effect grab your camera and set it for a timed exposure (most point and shoot cameras have a "fireworks" setting).

If you get any good pictures feel free to send them and I will post them for you.  

Learn more at SpaceWeather.com
Polar Storm Warning

Predicted Aurora Oval, Aug 22-23 2013

CME Blasts Out from Sun

Here is some more information about the eruption from Sunspot 1818.  The SOHO (SOlar & Heliocentric Observatory) caught this movie of a CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) being blasted from the surface of the sun around that sunspot.  

The ionized material will probably miss the Earth, but Earth will likely pass through trailing edge of the particles so auroras are still possible.  Keep checking Space Weather for updates.

CME Off Target

Hole in Sun's Corona Increases Chances for Auroras

Our sun, like all stars, is a violent place.  Huge, twisting magnetic fields, Coronal Mass Ejections and gaps in the corona that allow the solar wind to spew into space, all have the potential to cause a spectacular phenomenon here on Earth....the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

This article shows us that auroras may be visible by the weekend, IF a good geo-magnetic storm gets going.

Have you taken any aurora photos?  If so I'd love to share them!  Just send them with your name, where you took them and when.  

Corona Hole Article August 14 2013

Blue areas show hole in Solar Corona.