Geomagnetic Storm In Progress
Credit: NASA/James Spann, Posted on: Thursday, 3 March 2011, 06:59 CST
A solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field during the early hours of March 1st. The impact sparked a polar geomagnetic storm that was, at first, minor, but the storm has been intensifying throughout the day. Spotters are now reporting auroras over Northern Ireland, Latvia, Norway, and Sweden. If the trend continues, high-latitude sky watchers will likely witness bright auroras after nightfall on March 1-2. Northern-tier US states such as Maine, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington could be favored with photographic and/or visual displays.
The storm is subsiding now, but it could start up again in response to ongoing high-speed solar wind.
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