Get Outside and Check out the Skies

Solar and geomagnetic activity continues to intensify on July 30th. The day began with an almost-X class solar flare from big sunspot 1261. This was followed by an unrelated geomagnetic storm (magnitude Kp=5) prompted by a fluctuation in the solar wind. At the time this alert is being issued (July 30th @ 2200 UT) the geomagnetic storm is still underway. High-latitude sky watchers, especially in the southern hemisphere where skies are winter-dark, should be alert for auroras. Details and updates at