X1.2 Solar Flare with associated CME headed toward Earth.

[FITorion]

http://spaceweather.com/

http://www.solarham.net/

SpaceWeather:

Giant sunspot AR1944 erupted on Jan 7th at approximately 1832 UT, producing a powerful X1-class solar flare. First-look coronagraph images from the STEREO-Ahead spacecraft appear to show a coronal mass ejection (CME) emerging from the blast site. If so, the CME is almost certainly heading for Earth. Stay tuned for updates as more data arrive from the NASA-ESA Heliophysics Fleet.

Video links while I try to figure out how to embed:

http://youtu.be/NtU_eXsehsk

http://youtu.be/q2GFdWL4YDA

Edited January 8, 2014 by FITorion

[PakledHostage]

Another good site for monitoring current aurora activity is:

http://helios.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/#

[Scotius]

So, first question: Is there any significant risk to ISS crew? Second: What about our space infrastructure? Especially satellites above van Allen belts - geostationary sats etc?

[Kerbin Dallas Multipass]

At Mission Control in Houston, the flight control team reported that the ISS crew is not affected by this solar event and does not require any special precautionary measures.

-- NASA on Google+

[KvickFlygarn87]

When will it get here? I want to know when the skies might blow up in auroras.

[AeroEngy]

The Antares launch to the ISS had to be delayed due to the flare. It is to risky to launch during the storm.

[PakledHostage]

When will it get here? I want to know when the skies might blow up in auroras.

The University of Fairbanks Aurora forecast says it reaches us on the 9th of January.

[Motokid600]

Might wanna wear some sunblock if ur going out that day lol.

[Bunsen]

When will it get here? I want to know when the skies might blow up in auroras.

The latest model predictions show it hitting around 08:00 GMT on Thursday. For us eastern 'Mericans, that's 3:00 tomorrow morning. There's probably a few hours of uncertainty in that, though. I'll be keeping an eye on solarham.net tonight for signs of impending activity in case it shows up before I fall asleep.

[rpayne88]

When will it get here? I want to know when the skies might blow up in auroras.

IIRC, 7:00PM (or 19:00 for those in the military or do not use the AM/ PM system) UTC.

Edit: Could've sworn I saw an article on MSN saying it would get here at 3PM ET. I can't find it now.

Edited January 8, 2014 by rpayne88

[FITorion]

When will it get here? I want to know when the skies might blow up in auroras.

About 9-10 UTC Jan 9 and should continue through Jan 10.

So If I'm guessing right from your profile location... tonight and tomorrow night would be the prime aurora times.

[PakledHostage]

About 9-10 UTC Jan 9 and should continue through Jan 10.

About 1630 UTC now on the 9th and so far nothing... Solar magnetic field direction data (Bz) from the Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft isn't currently favorable for auroras and the NOAA's Kp index remains stubbornly low. Here's hoping things improve and we get a good show? It is supposed to stay cloudy for the foreseeable future where I am, but maybe someone will be able to get some good photos and post them to this forum?

Current NOAA ACE spacecraft data plot

Current NOAA Kp Index plot