STD UPDATE 19:54 UTC

[Ulrich Rieth]

LAST UPDATE: 17 JULY 2002, 19:54 UTC (3:54 pm EDT 17 July):

The anticipated CME of 15 July impacted the Earth near 16:04 UTC on 17 July
(12:04 pm EDT). The disturbance has generated periods of moderate to strong
auroral activity over the high latitude regions. However, thus far, the
disturbance has not been quite strong enough to generate widespread middle
latitude observations of activity. Reports of activity may begin to trickle
in when Europe reaches greater levels of darkness over the coming hours.

Preliminary analysis suggests Earth may be passing through a flanking region
of the CME. These regions typically do not produce strong levels of auroral
storm activity. However, it is still fairly early in the life of the
disturbance and we may yet intersect more volatile areas of the disturbance.

More details will follow a bit later.