A CANNIBAL CME IS APPROACHING EARTH

[PinkDiamond]

From spaceweather.com, those far enough north may be able to see the auroras right here in the U.S.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH (G3-CLASS): Strong G3-class geomagnetic storms are possible during the early UT hours of March 31st when a Cannibal CME is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. During such storms, naked-eye auroras can descend into the USA as far south as, e.g., Illinois and Oregon (geomagnetic latitude 50o). What is a "Cannibal CME"? Keep reading. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.

A CANNIBAL CME IS APPROACHING EARTH: Yesterday, March 28th, sunspot AR2975 unleashed a frenzy of solar flares--more than 17 in all. There were 11 C-class flares and 6 M-flares. At least two full-halo CMEs emerged from the chaos. Click to watch the storm clouds leaving the sun:


Above: A SOHO coronagraph movie of multiple CMEs on March 28, 2022.

The first CME in this movie was produced by an M4-class flare at 1129 UT. It departed the sun traveling 1259 km/s. The second CME was produced by an M1-class flare at 1923 UT. It departed even faster, travelng ~1700 km/s.

A NOAA computer model suggests that the second CME will overtake the first, merging into a single "Cannibal CME" before striking Earth's magnetic field around 0300 UT on March 31st. Click to view the complete model:



Cannibal CMEs are fast coronal mass ejections that sweep up slower CMEs in front of them. This NASA movie shows what happens. The mish-mash contains tangled magnetic fields and compressed plasmas that can spark strong geomagnetic storms.

If the NOAA model is correct, the density of solar wind plasma around Earth could increase 10-fold when the CME arrives, while the solar wind speed will top 700 km/s. These events would set the stage for G2- to G3-class geomagnetic storms.

Observing tips: North Americans should be alert for auroras after local nightfall on March 30th. For Europeans, the hours before dawn on March 31st are favored. When chasing auroras, dark skies are essential; go to the countryside. Urban glare can overwhelm auroras even during a strong geomagnetc storm. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.

https://spaceweather.com/

[SwordfishMining]

I keep telling myself to go outside and look for them. But like meteorite showers, it takes dedication.
We dont know exactly how they combine until they arrive and auroras can be the least of our worries down the line.
Expect some random things to fry as they always do during these events. Any major event would dwarf the size of these, but still wouldnt be all destroying to rate fear mongering. I do think the problem would be in the reaction of the population, which can explain the current information situation.

[SwordfishMining]

Well, its about 6 now here & the Sun has shot a small X class flare too. Should not be any disaster on the auroras tonight.

[PinkDiamond]

I took screenshots of the auroras last night, but tonight I can't see stars so apparently it's cloudy there. It's hard to see, but the Big Dipper's in the last one upside down.

[SwordfishMining]

Nice ones. Unless i get an alert, which seems to not be coming here anymore, LOL, I watch them from the galleries of all the photographers. I got too many irons in the fire to keep them all red.