X2 Class solar flare from giant sunspot 720

[fedsron2us]

Possibility for strong auroras in the next two days

Two coronal mass ejections (movies: #1, #2) are heading toward Earth and they could spark strong auroras when they arrive on January 16th and 17th. These clouds were blasted into space by M8- and X2-class explosions above giant sunspot 720 on Jan. 15th.{/I}

[mhr]

1. Maybe The Sun Plans To Microwave Bush To Put Us Out Of Our Misery

That old Sun is smarter than we think.

[bananas]

2. LOW LATITUDE Auroral Activity WATCH

From the AuroraWatch mailing list:

LOW LATITUDE Auroral Activity WATCH - 16-18 January

<snip>

AURORAL ACTIVITY *MAY* BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM...
(THIS LINE IS VALID *ONLY* IF FAVORABLE STORM CONDITIONS OCCUR)

EXTREME NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TO NORTHERN NEVADA TO UTAH TO COLORADO TO
SOUTHERN KANSAS AND NORTHERN OKLAHOMA TO ARKANSAS TO TENNESSEE TO SOUTH
CAROLINA.

ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM...
(THIS LINE IS VALID *ONLY* IF FAVORABLE STORM CONDITIONS OCCUR)

NORTHERN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL TO SOUTHERN FRANCE TO ITALY TO ROMANIA TO
UKRAIN TO SOUTHERN RUSSIA.

SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA TO SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND.

SYNOPSIS...

A potentially significant coronal mass ejection has been observed
containing an Earthward-directed component. <snip> For North
American observers, the best opportunity will be on the evening of 16
January and possibly into 17 January.
<snip>

http://spacew.com/pipermail/aurorawatch/2005-January/000030.html