A CME cloud is heading for Earth from Sunspot AR1532. The forecast track prepared by analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab shows the CME will reach our planet on July 31st at 1500 UT (+/- 7 hours). Weak to moderate geomagnetic storms are possible when the cloud arrives. Sunspot AR1532 is still active producing M-class solar flares. The latest M6-class eruption on July 28th (2056 UT), produced a bright flash of extreme ultraviolet radiation.
Video of CME
NOAA forecasters estimate a 45% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on July 29-30 due to a high-speed solar wind stream hittingg Earth’s magnetic field. A stronger storm may occur on July 31st when a CME associated with yesterday’s M6-flare arrives. Sky watchers should be alert for auroras for the next three nights
SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded M5
Begin Time: 2012 Jul 28 2044 UTC
Maximum Time: 2012 Jul 28 2056 UTC
End Time: 2012 Jul 28 2104 UTC
X-ray Class: M6.1
Optical Class: 2n
Location: S25E54
NOAA Scale: R2 – Moderate