Surfing the Sun

2012-11-13

CME impact

A coronal mass ejection impacted Earth what looks like 20:52 on Nov 12th. This was when my magnetometer picked up its first large displacement. Magnetic activity continues as I type (1:40am on the 13th), so check for low level auroral displays. The graph shows my data and the impact.

Dave Gradwell

2012-10-31

Small CME impact

Earth received a "gentle tap" this afternoon when a piece of Sun glanced off our magnetic field. While probably not strong enough to cause low latitude aurorae, the CME impact was picked up by my magnetometer. Below is a snapshot from my x axis sensor with the impact clearly visible. Remember live data can be seen at www.davegradwell.com/magnetometer.html

Dave Gradwell

2012-10-20

Big M9 solar flare

The Sun unleashed one of the biggest flares of the year this evening. An M9 class flare (next size up is the biggest type - X) erupted off the SE edge of the solar disc. It was large enough to break through the post sunset ionosphere here in Birr and disrupt the VLF radio signal from Cutler, Maine. These size flares are rare and maybe a sign of an active sunspot turning to face Earth. Below is a plot from my solar flare monitor. Live data (during daytime hours) is available at www.davegradwell.com/solarflares.html

Dave Gradwell

2012-10-11

More Aurora images

Heres some more shots from that nice display earlier in the week

Click on them to see a bigger scale. Theyre also availible from my website www.davegradwell.com/images.html. These are featured on a bbc online story about this display

Dave Gradwell

2012-10-09

Activity subsides

After the excitement of the night geomagnetic activity is on the wane. You can see how the Earth's magnetic field shook well into the early hours as picked up by my magnetometer