ARRLWeb: Solar Wind, Proton Storm Assaulting Earth

ARRLWeb: Solar Wind, Proton Storm Assaulting Earth
Solar Wind, Proton Storm Assaulting Earth
NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 17, 2005--This may be the week to check the sky for a display of northern lights and to check the radio for auroral propagation on VHF. A long-duration X-class solar flare earlier today (UTC) from giant sunspot 720 is expected to generate a major geomagnetic storm when it arrives January 18 or 19 (UTC). Spaceweather.com has issued an aurora alert. X-class flares are major events that can trigger worldwide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms. A space weather alert from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Environment Center (SEC) warns that a geomagnetic K index of 6 is expected through today UTC. A watch for a geomagnetic A index of 100 also remains in effect through January 17 UTC. NOAA says active sunspot region 720 has produced several strong solar events.