GEOMAGNETIC WARNING July 3-4

A halo coronal mass ejection was observed on 30-Jun, associated with an X1.0 flare. Modelling suggests this CME will have a glancing impact with Earth on 03/0500UT +/- 10 hours (early evening on the 3rd AEST). Intervals of G2 geomagnetic conditions are forecast on 03-Jul due to this impact, decreasing to G0-G1 on 04-Jul. Currently conditions are quiet.If storms eventuate, visible aurora may be seen in Tasmania southern parts of Victoria, and possibly southern South Australia, during local night hours. In the early evening bright Venus in the east will brighten your aurora hunting.The Moon is approaching Last Quarter and will not interfere too much. In the early morning Mars and Uranus are at their closest together in binoculars on the 4th and 5th and the pair are also midway between the Pleiades and Hyades clusters. Keep an eye out and be patient, as the magnetic polarity of the wind fluctuates significantly and aurora may come and go.Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing…