Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

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Carbon60
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Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by Carbon60 »

Hi all,

After days of geomagnetic calm my magnetometers were recording nothing but the gentle diurnal wave of magnetic flux created as Earth rotates in the solar wind stream. This gentle increase and decrease occurs day-in and day-out whatever, but occasionally, when we are in the midst of a CME impact, or solar storm with fast flowing solar wind, the data become much more erratic. Yesterday Earth crossed a Solar Sector Boundary and magnetic disturbances were recorded on my magnetometers against the solar calm backdrop. These boundaries are like folds in the interplanetary magnetic field http://www.solarham.net/plane.htm created as the solar wind spirals away from the Sun as it rotates. Had it not been so calm, the data could have been swamped. Sometimes solar calm can be a good thing!
Solar Sector Boundary Crossing 20140523.jpg
Solar Sector Boundary Crossing 20140523.jpg (78.43 KiB) Viewed 2918 times
Thanks for looking.

Stu.


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by Montana »

Fantastic Stu :bow :bow :bow

Can you show us a plot from the day before for a comparison?

Alexandra


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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by Carbon60 »

Hi Alexandra,

Here are some data from the previous day as well. Inevitably there's some noise, but you can see the transition from relative calm to active. The larger 'humps' are the 'daily tide'.
Solar Sector Boundary Crossing 20140523 Full.jpg
Solar Sector Boundary Crossing 20140523 Full.jpg (81.91 KiB) Viewed 2909 times
Thanks for your interest and appreciation.

Stu.


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by marktownley »

It's interesting stuff. Something I would definitely do myself if I did not live amid the electromagnetic maelstrom of the city... Keep this coming, it's good to see.


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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Stuart

very interesting stuff. Please keep us updated


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by Carbon60 »

Thanks Mark/Walter. Definitely needs to be in a sheltered spot re magnetic interference.

As an update, we encountered a small CME yesterday, which is interesting since it provides a nice example and contrast to the geomagnetic signature recorded for the day before, which, in the absence of any coronal holes or other significant solar activity, I've attributed to Earth's crossing of the solar sector boundary. It certainly wasn't a CME (wrong signature) and it does fall directly in line with when Earth SHOULD have crossed the boundary, according to SpaceWeather.com.

Anyhow, here is an updated chart with data from Chambon la Foret via Intermagnet provided as a comparison. The correlation is pretty good, all things considered.
Solar Sector Boundary Crossing and CME 20140524.jpg
Solar Sector Boundary Crossing and CME 20140524.jpg (81.32 KiB) Viewed 2898 times
As always, thanks for your interest.

PS. This gives me something to do when the Sun is shining behind the clouds! ;)

Stu.


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by marktownley »

Most definitely parallels.

You should post this stuff more often...


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http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Stuart


very fine results. I do not understand the crossing of the solar sector boundary, so I will read up. Your work is much appreciated


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by Carbon60 »

Thanks Mark/Walter.

I try to post the interesting stuff ;) . Sometimes the charts are too dull to speak about. CMEs and unusual events make the 'news'.

I hope I've stimulated some interesting reading, Walter.

Cheers

Stu.


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by alex »

marktownley wrote:
You should post this stuff more often...
Yes please :D


Very nice and interesting job Stu.
Thanks for sharing :)


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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by Carbon60 »

Thanks for your interest, Alex.

Cheers

Stu.


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by p_zetner »

Lovely stuff, Stuart!

So interesting that you're able to observe (and recognize!) these different magnetic phenomena.

Cheers.
Peter.


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Re: Geomag Response to Solar Sector Boundary Crossing

Post by Carbon60 »

Thanks, Peter.

I'm still learning as I go along.

Thanks for your interest.

Regards

Stu.


H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
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