There is a strong chance of geomagnetic solar storms over the next 24 hours as the CMEs make their way past the Earth.
Space weather forecasters predict a 90% chance for geomagnetic storms which could cause disruption for electronic devices and GPS systems.
Earthsky.org reports:
BYPASS THE CENSORS
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NOAA forecasters wrote that Sunday’s CME, a much faster CME than the earlier ones, is …
… expected to catch up with the two observed on June 18 and 19, bringing them all to Earth in close succession by the UTC day of June 22, 2015.
The CME was associated with an R1-Minor flare event observed at 0142 UTC (9:21 p.m. ET) from Sunspot Region 12371 located near center disk.
A G3-Strong Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issued for June 22, as well as a G2-Moderate Watch for June 23 as the CMEs make their way past Earth.
Sunspots June 20, 2015 from EarthSky Facebook friend Alexander Kozik. Afocal photography through Plossl 32mm and Celestron XLT 102 refractor. Never look at or photograph the sun without a special filter.
June 19 flare from Sunspot Region 12371. The June 21 flare released a faster CME from this region. The CMEs will join forces before encountering Earth on June 22.
Bottom line: A fast-moving CME is joining forces with two earlier CMEs. All three are due to arrive sometime today (June 22, 2015). NOAA forecasters estimate a 90% chance of polar geomagnetic storms when the CME arrives. Aurora alert!
