Observing

CME IMPACT: A coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field on Oct. 24th around 1800 UT (2 pm EDT). The impact strongly compressed our planet's magnetosphere and may have exposed geosynchronous satellites to solar wind plasma. Mild to moderate geomagnetic storms are possible in the hours ahead as Earth's magnetic field continues to reverberate from the hit. Sky watchers in Scandinavia, Canada, and northern-tier US States should be alert for auroras, especially during the hours around local midnight. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

UPDATE: 11:30PM, Monday Oct 24 - I haven't been able to see any sign of the aurora from Hamilton mountain (including from Sam Lawrence Park), but Charles Baetsen saw a lot of auroral activity from his home near Orono. He reports seeing streamers up to the horizon at times. By the time he was able to get his camera, the aurora had faded to a glowing green arc at the bottom of the Big Dipper.

Auroral glow beneath the Big Dipper as seen from Orono, Ontario tonight. Photo by Charles Baetsen.