Last STD Update: 09 November 2002, 20:33 UTC

[Ulrich Rieth]

Last Update: 09 November 2002, 20:33 UTC (3:33 pm EST 09 November):

Aurora / Geomagnetic Activity Update:

A mild solar wind shock front was observed impacting the ACE spacecraft near
17:55 UTC today. The shock hit the Earth near 18:49 UTC. This disturbance
may be related to a corotating interaction region (coronal hole based).
Strong enhancements in density have been observed as well as modest
enhancements in IMF properties. There is an elevated risk of intensifying
geomagnetic and auroral substorm activity over the next 24 hours. A
mid-latitude aurora watch is being considered.

Solar Update:

Region 180 produced an energetic near-major class M4/2B solar flare today at
13:23 UTC (8:23 am EST). This event has been associated with a proton event
at greater than 10 MeV (currently intensifying and in-progress). A response
has also been observed in greater than 50 MeV protons. A partial halo
(perhaps weak full halo) and fairly high velocity coronal mass ejection has
also been observed. Analysis is underway. More details will be forthcoming
later.