Geomagnetic storm - the interaction of the Sun's outburst with Earth's magnetic field
Coronal mass ejection (CME)
Solar flare
A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere caused by a disturbance in space weather. Associated with solar coronal mass ejections (CME), coronal holes, or solar flares, a geomagnetic storm is caused by a solar wind shock wave which typically strikes the Earth's magnetic field 24 to 36 hours after the event. This only happens if the shock wave travels in a direction toward Earth. The solar wind pressure on the magnetosphere will increase or decrease depending on the Sun's activity. These solar wind pressure changes modify the electric currents in the ionosphere. Magnetic storms usually last 24 to 48 hours, but some may last for many days.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) is an ejection of material from the solar corona, usually observed with a white-light coronagraph.The ejected material is a plasma consisting primarily of electrons and protons (in addition to small quantities of heavier elements such as helium, oxygen, and iron), plus the entraining coronal magnetic field.
A solar flare is a big explosion in the Sun's atmosphere that can release as much as 6 1025 joules of energy.The term is also used to refer to similar phenomena in other stars, where the more accurate term stellar flare applies.
http://137.229.36.30/cgi-bin/magnetometer/gak-mag.cgi
HAARP Fluxgate Magnetometer
The chart below is a running 36 hour plot of the readings taken from the fluxgate magnetometer, built by the University of Alaska, Geophysical Institute, operating at the HAARP ionospheric observatory in Gakona, Alaska. The three traces represent mutually orthogonal components of the earth's magnetic field as follows:- The "H" component (black trace) is positive magnetic northward
- The "D" component (red trace) is positive eastward
- The "Z" component (blue trace) is positive downward
RIGHT NOW - August 31, 2009 at 1:10am CDT
http://solarcycle24.com/
From the Space Weather Prediction Center
Updated 2009 Aug 30 2201 UTC
Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 242 Issued at 2200Z on 30 Aug 2009
Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 29/2100Z to 30/2100Z: Solar activity was very low. No spots and no flares were observed on the visible disk.
Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be very low.
Geophysical Activity Summary 29/2100Z to 30/2100Z: The geomagnetic field was at quiet to minor storm conditions. The solar wind increased from 350 to 450 km/s. The Bz varied from +10 to -10 through the UT day. This activity was due to the onset of a southern coronal hole high speed stream becoming geoeffective.
Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field will be quiet to unsettled with isolated periods of active conditions possible on day one (31 August) and mostly quiet for the remainder of the forecast period (1 - 2 September).
