Spectacular auroral activity? Online observation – 5 Oct. 2024.
On 3 Oct., the Sun unleashed a record setting, X9.1 class solar flare, the most powerful of the current cycle and the 15th strongest ever since flares are recorded. The corresponding coronal mass ejection is now traveling towards our planet. This has the potential to trigger a nice auroral activity, so we scheduled two live feeds to hopefully cover this!
These past days have been very turbulent for our Sun. On 1 Oct. we recorded a strong, X7.1 class flare followed, on 3 Oct., by the strongest flare recorded during the current Solar Cycle, a X9.1 blast. The corresponding coronal mass ejections are traveling towards the Earth and they can trigger an intense auroral activity once here.
Looking at the predicted Kp index, a global auroral activity indicator ranging from 0 to 9, it is expected to reach a value Kp=7 on 5 Oct, 18-21UTC (source: NOAA), that is during the Italian evening, with G3 associated geomagnetic storms. While the situation is continuously evolving, we managed to schedule a live feed on 5 Oct., starting at 17:30 UTC, hopefully covering the time frame above. Our imaging camera is located at latitude +41.5, so we will see something just in case the activity will be strong, as it was last May.
IMPORTANT NOTE: should the predictions change, we will adjust the times of the live feed accordingly!
What we will see? it is hard to predict, so join us from the comfort of your home and discover it with us!
We scheduled the online, free session 5 Oct., starting at 17:30 UTC. The 6 Oct. is a backup date, in case the prediction will indocate teh following evening.
To join, you just need to enter, at the date and time above, our webTV page here!
Please wait while you are redirected...or Click Here if you do not want to wait.
Back to
Support The Virtual Telescope Project!
Support us! Please, donate and receive an EXCLUSIVE image of the stunning COMET C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and much more, specifically made for supporters like you!
(you can adjust the amount later)