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A CME is heading our way – look for aurorae this weekend.
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a warning:
2013-03-15 18:14 UTC G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storm Expected
An Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in conjunction with an R1 (Minor) solar flare radio blackout in the early hours of March 15th. This CME is expected to arrive late on March 16th, with G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming forecast for the 16th and G2 (Moderate) storming forecast for the 17th. Stay tuned for updates.
A geomagnetic storm produces aurorae (auroras or northern and southern lights). The more intense the aurora the farther toward the equator it will appear.
A tip o’the old sunscreen to SpaceWeather.com for the heads up. You can sign up for alert emails from them too.
03/15/2013 – Ephemeris – The latest on Comet PanSTARRS and possible viewing Saturday
Ephemeris for Friday, March 15th. The sun will rise at 7:54. It’ll be up for 11 hours and 54 minutes, setting at 7:48. The moon, half way from new to first quarter, will set at 12:14 tomorrow morning.
This past Wednesday evening it was clear around here and Comet PanSTARRS was visible very low on the western horizon. Estimates say the comet is now brighter than predicted. There’s wonderful images on http://spaceweather.com, and https://bobmoler.wordpress.com, the one on my blog was taken by Scott Anttila from Royal Oak last night. It should bode well for great viewing for the next week or so. The comet will set at 9:24 p.m. tonight. Saturday there will be a Star Party at the NMC Observatory starting at 9 p.m. Come a bit early and trudge through the snow a bit to see the comet. It isn’t visible from the building. Bring your binoculars, it’s the best way to see it, and hope for clear skies.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Comet PanSTARRS over Royal Oak, MI March 14, 2013. Photo taken by Scott Anttila. Click to enlarge.
Comet PanSTARRS from March 14, 2013 through the 17th. Created using Stellarium and Cartes du Ciel.
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 