THE SOLAR WIND HAS ARRIVED

THE SOLAR WIND HAS ARRIVED: As predicted, a high-speed stream of solar wind has reached Earth and is buffeting our planet's magnetic field. So far, however, there has been only mild geomagnetic storming. Magnetic fields inside the solar wind stream are not well-connected to Earth's magnetic field, and that mismatch is mitigating its impact.

Despite the weaker-than-expected storms, sky watchers still saw some beautiful auroras. Rocky Raybell photographed this display--split down the middle by a Taurid fireball--from Keller, Washington:

"The auroras were not as strong as I expected," he says, "but the fireball made up for any shortcomings." Elsewhere in the United States, auroras were sighted in Wisconsin, Montana, and even Ohio.

More auroras are possible tonight, especially around the Arctic Circle, as the solar wind continues to blow. NOAA forecasters estimate an 85% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on Nov. 3rd, waning to 70% on Nov. 4th

http://www.spaceweather.com/