Forecasting the Northern Lights! 2: Kp Index,NOAA Satellites,Coronal Mass Ejections & Coronal Holes

I've been chasing the Northern Lights in the Northern US and Southern Canada for 2 decades and have lots of pictures and video to share while I explain, as best I can, everything that I've learned and there's ALOT to cover!
In this episode I cover the Kp Index, with a little surprise. I recently traveled about 5 hours north to capture a recent display where the clouds finally departed and allowed me to make some new aurora timelapses.
Northern Lights can be triggered by a variety of things, but the two main triggers are Solar wind from a coronal hole facing Earth, or an Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejection (CME).
A small armada of solar-watching satellites gather research and up-to-the-minute data on space weather. SOHO, SDO, GOES, ACE and DSCOVR are introduced in this video.
I also sneaked in a case study of the 2003 Halloween super geomagnetic storm and show how each of these satellites, and Earth, were affected. I'll be doing more case studies like this in future videos.
What's next? STEREO A & B, Perhaps WIND and ULYSSES, maybe. Reading solar wind parameters. Might even squeeze in Modeling Coronal Mass Ejections and a case study of the 2012 superstorm that missed Earth. Or that might go in part 4. Still in the imagination phase on that one.
#NorthernLights #Spaceweather #AuroraChasing

[@scienceoutthere]

I'm getting packed and ready to go 300 Km north into Manitoba this weekend during what I hope will be clear skies full of Northern Lights from a possible Kp=6! Will it be insane? or just rain? wish me luck!

[@PecosHank]

Great stuff! Keep em coming.

[@scienceoutthere]

Just got back from Manitoba tonight. Absolutely EPIC Aurora stuff coming here soon! I'll have that educational monsoon video ready to go soon as well but I'm holding out for a possible (hopeful) guest contribution from someone you might know :). Not long after that, a REALLY big surprise you will definitely enjoy!

[@kingcarrotman]

So much good information you’re the man! Getting me so excited for my Fairbanks trip this weekend

[@scienceoutthere]

I'm going to Fairbanks between the 19th and 24th! Check in and let me know how it goes!

[@kingcarrotman]

science out there aw missed you by just a couple weeks! Will try to remember to give a quick report! Do you have an instagram outlet i can follow too?

[@scienceoutthere]

@@kingcarrotman You bet! instagram.com/science.out.there/ I just need to get better about updating it!

[@b.t.walker2295]

The only time I’ve seen an aurora was in October, 1992, on a ranch outside Mason, Texas, about 30˚ N. The stars at night were big and bright, and the moonless skies were not cloudy. However, there was an unusual, red glow to the north that looked like a warning light on a radio tower in the fog. We decided after a while it had to be an aurora, but no one believed us when we got back to the house. Sweet vindication came the next morning through an article published in the San Angelo newspaper.

[@offbrandmage7593]

Sweet!!!

[@buldonzwenkinz7973]

Been aurora hunting for years in central Maine, seen a few times, still waiting for my patience to reward me with a decent show!

[@tamarahegedus8634]

Cool video. We like your T-shirt! 😁

[@rebeccawright2987]

Thank you! Very helpful!!

[@piuoiuoiyup8yipyhp9yh83]

thank you for this video its help me alot in my project

[@scienceoutthere]

Very happy to help! I hope to work on the next one in a few weeks.

[@piuoiuoiyup8yipyhp9yh83]

@@scienceoutthere thank you so much and good luck sir