Possible Aurora the nights of 14/15 July

[Julius]

Sunspot AR1520 had a flare at the X1 level, which launched a large coronal mass ejection straight towards earth. If we are lucky we might be able to see NLC and Aurora Borealis at the same time. The latest estimates on the CMEs arrival time is the 14.07.2012 0917 UTC +/- 7 hours. So if we are lucky there might be a chance of Aurora early in the morning of the 14.07 and almost guaranteed on the night of the 14/15 July.

spaceweather.com/

I caught a beautiful display in September which you can see a timelapse of here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpDcc6VPDkQ

If it is strong enough like this it should be visible from Ireland, Scotland, northern parts of England and Denmark.

[Julius]

The CME was travelling slower towards the earth than anticipated so keep on the lookout for Aurora tonight 14/15 July.

CME Arrival at the L1 point in space. SWPC forecasters have observed the arrival of the anticipated CME by solar wind signatures by the ACE spacecraft, which is around 1 million miles away between Earth and the Sun.

SWPC forecasters have issued warning for G1-Geomagnetic storms and will monitor the magnetic structure of the storm to see how strong it might be.

Attached is the ACE plot, where one can see the rise in the solar wind speed speed at 1730 Z.

Source:
www.facebook.com/pages/NOAA-NWS-Space-Weather-Prediction-Center/232532740131296

[Julius]

Were hit Aurora will be visible to Denmark and Scotland if it keep up until the dark. I will be on the lookout for Auroras and NLC when it get's dark here at about 22 UTC
helios.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/Europe.html
www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/gif/pmapN.gif

[olaf3sky]

Jul 14, 2012 19:46:20 GMT Julius said:

... I will be on the lookout for Auroras and NLC when it get's dark here at about 22 UTC
...

Hi,

yes, the same to me. There might be chances here, too. But eventually some clouds will follow soon.

Good luck to all + stay tuned observing the sky tonight!

[Julius]

Did anybody see the Aurora? To weak and to much light here.

[Bill W]

Hi,
I had my cctv system on but didn't pick up anything, no nlc and no aurora.
However the increased magnetic activity has resulted in some extraordinary VLF activity including some of the best whistlers I have ever heard.
Cheers,
Bill.

[Julius]

You have a really good atmospheric observatory Bill.
I have a VLF receiver built to detect lightning discharges in the atmosphere that i am working on getting operational this summer.

New chances tonight the Aurora has a greater intensity compared to last night so I will keep my camera ready.
helios.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/

[Bill W]

Hi,
Yes its still looking good. I hope we get to see something tonight. I have to go back to work on Tuesday!
I'd be interested to hear what sort of design you are using for your VLF receiver. My "receiver" is really just a high gain audio amplifier attached to an old CB antenna. Due to noise I need to drive about 50km to get to a quiet spot so I don't use it that often but I always pack it if I'm out in the hills just in case. Got very lucky the other night!
cheers,
Bill.

[olaf3sky]

Sky started clear this night but now it is cloudy. There are observations on IAP Calar Alto webcams I think and one example east of Berlin:

www.meteoros.de/php/viewtopic.php?t=9686

Maybe it is clear sky in one hour but than it is starting to getting brighter morning sky here in northern Germany.

Regards,

[Bill W]

Excellent, Ich spreche Deutsch nicht (I think thats right!) but the pictures say it all!
I have clearish skies for once but there is much cirrus. Might get lucky, got another hour plus before it's darkest here.
Bill.

[Julius]

I am using a prefabricated circuit you can find the details here:
www.geo-web.org.uk/PDF_Files/lr.pdf
The systems is called Lightning Radar and uses the soundcard of a PC to detect the sounds of the static discharges in the atmosphere.
Unfortunately the man behind the LightningRadar software and network died in an car crash this spring, but other people are picking up the threads were he left them off. www.lightningradar.net/

As for the Aurora it is not visible here on camera or visually, it is simply not dark enough here yet. Nice captures from Germany.

[tmcewan]

Well broken cloud here (SW Scotland) but still bright twilight. No obvious NLC as yet and no signs of aurora...

[Bill W]

Hi all,
Just taken my first shots of the aurora!, single distinct ray around 040 azi.
Bill.

[tmcewan]

Just caught a distinct arc from NW, through a filter - just on the verge of naked eye visibility. Looks like it could be interesting once the sky darkens more...

[Bill W]

Seems to have faded out....
Nothing on the cctv system, out of the field of view.