Aurora Section

2015 January 19

Ken Kennedy

Following what seems to have been the peak of solar cycle 24 in early 2014, solar activity became significantly less and was at low levels throughout the summer months. September 09/10 saw active area (AA) 2158 produce M4.5 and X1.6 flares which resulted in a G2 storm on Sept 12. One of the largest sunspots for a number of years appeared in October (AA 2192) and produced a series of M and X class flares over a number of days. However, none of these was associated with any significant CME and the best resulting activity was a brief G1 storm on Oct 20.
On Nov 07 there was an X1.6 flare from AA 2205 and the CME produced a minor G1 storm on Nov 10 when the Kp reached 5 during daylight hours, but had dropped to 4 by 20:00 UT. December was relatively quiet until an X1.8 flare was released from AA 2242 on Dec 20. Despite the flare being in an Earthwards direction, the resultant CME was sent out in a southerly direction but caused a Kp rise to 5 at 01:00 UT on Dec 22. Aurora was reported at high latitudes and faint aurora was seen on Dec 23/24 from mid and northern Scotland, from northern Scotland on Dec 24/25 and when the Bz turned southwards on Dec 25/26.(continued)

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