The Sun Gives Gifts for the Holidays: Solar Storm Forecast 12-23-2017

Although the Sun has been under-performing lately and things have gone quiet, we have another chance for some activity as a mini-solar storm has been launched in the Earth-strike zone and it will be followed by some fast solar wind. This means we might have a good chance for aurora over the holidays. Amateur radio and emergency responders also get the gift of a boosted solar flux thanks to region 2692, which should help radio propagation. GPS/GNSS operators are also in luck because 2692 is active, but not active enough to be a threat for radio blackouts. Learn the details of the coming storm, catch up on aurora photographs, and see what else the Sun has in store! Here is a link for those wanting the new issue of Popular Science Magazine: http://subscriptions.popsci.com/#covers

For daily and often hourly updates (during active times) visit me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TamithaSkov

For a more in-depth look at the data and images highlighted in this video see these links below.

Aurora Photography:
Matt Robinson, Helsinki, Finland
https://twitter.com/Astro_Matt27/status/944289292326719490

Andy Witteman, British Columbia, Canada
https://twitter.com/CNLastro/status/942786050614841345

Kim Hines, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
https://twitter.com/KimHinesSN/status/942901451101175813

Deb Maluk, Sandy Lake, Manitoba, Canada
https://twitter.com/dmaluk1/status/942700367111958528

Notannee Bourassa, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
https://twitter.com/DJHardwired/status/942284742224834560

John-GM7PBB, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
https://twitter.com/GM7PBB/status/942583739502202882

JF Martin, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
https://twitter.com/frenchscotjeff/status/942481056766316544

Paul Williams, Flight over Canada:
https://twitter.com/pcwilliams/status/944319262474190848

Mia Stålnacke, Kiruna, Sweden
https://twitter.com/AngryTheInch/status/942476186277556231

Team Tanner, Stettler, Alberta, Canada
https://twitter.com/treetanner/status/942282225927708672

Marianne Bergli, Kvaløya, Norway
http://spaceweathergallery.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=141397&PHPSESSID=envvlkhcs41k437phb6esm8q43

Solar Imaging and Analysis:
SDO: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/
Helioviewer: http://www.helioviewer.org/
Flare Analysis: http://www.lmsal.com/solarsoft/latest_events/
Computer Aided CME Tracking CACTUS: http://www.sidc.oma.be/cactus/out/latestCMEs.html
GOES Xray: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/xray_1m.html
SOHO: http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/
Stereo: http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/
GONG magnetic field synoptic movie: https://gong.nso.edu/data/magmap/standard_movie.html
GONG magnetic field synoptic charts: http://gong.nso.edu/data/magmap/
LMSAL Heliophysics Events HEK http://www.lmsal.com/isolsearch

Solar Wind:
DISCOVR solar wind: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/real-time-solar-wind
ACE Solar Wind: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/ace-real-time-solar-wind
NASA ENLIL SPIRAL: https://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/IswaSystemWebApp/iSWACygnetStreamer?timestamp=2038-01-23+00%3A44%3A00&window=-1&cygnetId=261
NOAA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/wsa-enlil-solar-wind-prediction

Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, Atmosphere:
GOES Magnetometer: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goes-magnetometer
Ionosphere D-Region Absorption (DRAP) model: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap/
Auroral Oval Ovation Products: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast
Global 3-hr Kp index: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/planetary-k-index
Wing Kp index prediction: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/wing-kp
USGS Ground Magnetometers: http://geomag.usgs.gov/realtime/
USGS Disturbance Storm-Time (Dst): http://geomag.usgs.gov/realtime/dst/
NAIRAS Radiation Storm Model: http://sol.spacenvironment.net/raps_ops/current_files/globeView.html

Multi-Purpose Space Environment Sites:
NOAA/SWPC: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov
SOLARHAM: http://www.solarham.net/index.htm
Spaceweather: http://spaceweather.com
iSWA: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/iswa/iSWA.html

Definition of Geomagnetic Storm, Radiation Storm, and Radio Blackout Levels:
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/

None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of those who have provided all of this data for public use.

Images c/o NASA/ESA/CSA (most notably the superb SDO, SOHO, ACE, STEREO, CCMC, JPL & DSN teams, amazing professionals, hobbyists, institutions, organizations, agencies and amateurs such as those at the USAF/HAARP, NICT, NOAA, USGS, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Intellicast, Catatania, rice.edu, wisc.edu, sonoma.edu ucalgary.ca, rssi.ru, ohio-state.edu, solen.info, and more. Thanks for making Space Weather part of our every day dialogue.