Sunspots And Solar Flares Expected

A large and moderately complex sunspot group, NOAA Region 696, was responsible for a series of eruptions on the surface of the Sun known as solar flares, including a significant eruption on 7 November 2004 at 9:06 a.m. MST. A radiation storm, currently at the moderate (S2) level, began soon after the eruption was observed on the Sun. Solar flare activity over the past few days has resulted in a series of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that have impacted Earth's geomagnetic field with severe (G4) geomagnetic storming. Today's large eruption on the Sun may produce further periods of strong geomagnetic storming on 9-10 November.

Agencies impacted by geomagnetic storms and radiation storms may experience disruptions in the next 48 hours. These include spacecraft operations, electric power systems, HF communications, and electronic navigation systems.

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services and other observatories, universities, and institutions.

FMI: http://sec.noaa.gov/advisories