Aurora alert for Monday night [ TONIGHT-16 Sept ]

[OzEclipse]

A powerful X class solar flare was ejected from the sun’s limb just as the originating sunspot was rounding the sun’s limb.
Aurora storm with a predicted magnitude of G3 for Monday night through Tuesday morning. Potential visibility from southern Australia.

Not as bright as the big storm in May and a full moon will reduce visibility compared to if had occurred in a dark moonless sky.

Large cloud mass south of the ACT. Don’t travel south of Canberra. Travel west along the Hume. Skies south of the Central West are clearer than SE NSW.

I’ll post an update tomorrow afternoon or tomorrow evening if / when the flare is detected inbound to Earth.

Joe

[Dave882]

Thanks for the heads up Joe

[OzEclipse]

No guarantees. Some ducks have to line up and it has to be brighter than the moonlit sky.

Readings about CME's come from the Dscovr or ACE satellites in orbit about conditions which will shortly impact earth.

The lead time is only about 1-3 hrs. This gives enough lead time for satellites to be put into safe mode but doesn't give city dwellers much time to get out to dark skies.

[Saturnine]

Thanks Joe, I have been following the predictions and they are calling for auroral activity to peak between 6.00pm and 12.00am tonight, Monday16th.
Unfortunately bright moonlight will interfere with the possible auroral show but it may be bright enough to see despite the moonlight as it may get to G3 / G4.

[Carlz]

Does anyone know of a place within a 30min drive of forresters beach nsw that has a good view of south? I was just going to stick to the coastline lookouts that are open after dark, but would anyone else have any suggestions? I’m dragging 3 kids under 6 with me haha

[OzEclipse]

Sorry, can't help you. I've never heard of the place.

It's been about 25 years since I went into Sydney other than changing planes at the airport.

Anywhere in Sydney is difficult.

Joe

[Saturnine]

Sorry , can't really help you Carlz, not familiar with the Central Coast even though I have a brother at Bateau Bay. Unless you get further inland around Somersby or Peats Ridge, away from the local light pollution, you will still be looking south into the Sydney light dome, though that may be no worse than the 3/4 moons glow. May also only be visible photographically if it does display !
If sticking to coastal lookouts, anywhere with a clear southern horizon is desirable.

Good Luck.

[Saturnine]

Latest forecast update has Kp7 level beginning around 7:00pm, hope they're correct.

[OzEclipse]

Just took a survey shot....nothing showing. The magnetometer readings spiked to high negative values (requisite for southern aurorae) at 430pm today. They are back up to more neutral values now.

At present, probably not worth traveling.

Joe

[joshman]

Thank you for the heads up. I've got my Allsky cam out in the yard and orientated to capture the southern horizon in full If it reaches me here in Coffs Harbour, I'll know.

[Saturnine]

Seems like we missed out, got up Kp4 earlier this evening but subsiding now, from a low peak. Got some nice pictures of clouds though and had a few wombats for company for a while. Also seems that the peak is late arriving, after dawn for us.

[joshman]

Well, nothing showed up on the all sky cam over night.

[OzEclipse]

It arrived at 9:40am this morning. I need to order one of these ICARUS filters so I can observe auroras during daytime ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QzXeUe1xg8

[joshman]

Haha. Yes. I'll take one as well please. Too many clear days going to waste.