---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 18:00:03 GMT
From: Space Environment Center <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Space-Weather-Bulletin

Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Environment Center
Boulder, Colorado, USA

SPACE WEATHER ADVISORY BULLETIN #02- 2
2002 July 23 at 11:44 a.m. MDT (2002 July 23 1744 UTC)

**** MAJOR SUNSPOT ACTITVITY ****

A major sunspot region has rotated onto the visible face of the sun.
This region, designated as Region 39 by NOAA Space Environment Center
forecaster, is believed to have been the source of three large coronal
mass ejections on the far side of the sun beginning on July 16.  This
region will rotate across the visible side of the sun over the next two
weeks and is expected to produce more solar activity.
Since appearing on the visible side yesterday (July 22) this region has
already produced a major flare at 6:35 pm Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)
on July 22 (0035, July 23 UTC) .  Radio blackouts reached category R3
(Strong) on the NOAA space weather scales.  In response to the major
flare, a geomagnetic storm is possible and is expected to begin between
8:00 pm MDT on July 24 and 8 am MDT on July 25 (0200 - 1400, July 25
UTC). The geomagnetic storm may reach category G2 (moderate) levels on
the NOAA space weather scales.

R3 radio blackouts result in widespread HF radio communication outages
on the dayside of the Earth and can also degrade low frequency
navigation signals.
G2 geomagnetic storms can lead to minor problems with electrical power
systems, spacecraft operations, communications systems, and some
navigational systems.   Aurora Borealis / Australis (northern /
southern lights) may be seen down into the mid latitudes (New York,
Madison, Boise, Vladivostok,  Rome, Tasmania, Wellington - NZ, Puerto
Montt - Chile)

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA,
USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services
and other observatories, universities, and institutions. For more
information, including email services, see SEC's Space Weather
Advisories Web site http://sec.noaa.gov/advisories or (303) 497-5127.
The NOAA Public Affairs contact is Barbara McGehan at
[log in to unmask] or (303) 497-6288.