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[patrickm]

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading toward Earth, propelled in our direction by an explosion in the magnetic canopy of sunspot 1261 on August 2nd & 3rd. Should hit Earth 5th & 6th.

[patrickm]

Image and link to yesterday's 8/2 CME. Links to movie of CME.bit.ly/oyz1bz

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[patrickm]

A new 3D model of the 8/2 CME now en route to Earth refines its predicted arrival time. ETA: August 5th bit.ly/qEMSm5

[patrickm]

Screen grab of today's 8/3 CME from 3DSun.org

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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

And you all laughed about my foil lining under my clothes.

Double layers around the sacred zones.

That'll learn you all.

[atomant]

Hmmm......Northern Lites potential?

[RobbW]

Bill, that would be too sweet if we could seem them down this far. Alas, I doubt the flares were strong enough to bring them down this far. We need a few strong X-class flares heading our way for that kind of fun!

[RobbW]

From what I've read the past few days, AR1263 has the magnetic signature for a good, strong X-class flare. Let's see if it delivers. Hmm, region-wide power outages anyone? Wouldn't it be something to see the Milky Way in all its glory over Chicago?!?!

[patrickm]

People would FREAK OUT, like end times freak out. I'd be at Sunken Gardens with both scopes going in seconds.

[RobbW]

Yep, they'd freak out alright. OMG, stars!!! I, too, would be out with my scope, binos, and DSLR basking in all the glory of the night sky. I'd probably try to keep my daughter up all night just because that would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Can't waste that on frivolous things like sleep!

[atomant]

I remember seeing a large curtain of light undulating in the sky along the lakefront back in early 90's.
The cold front is not coming soon enough to clean the skies for a chance look.

[Paulie pchris00]

Aug 8, 2011 12:47:44 GMT -6 atomant said:

I remember seeing a large curtain of light undulating in the sky along the lakefront back in early 90's.

That's a pretty accurate description of the aurora I saw in May 2005. Like a curtain of light shimmering through the sky.

[jeremy]

Turns out I was in Quebec City this weekend, and hoped I might catch this as I was there the 4th through the 6th. However I had no luck, skies were quiet. Quebec City is below 50 degrees so they don't see them their much I was told.