A coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field at approximately 12:15 UT on Sept. 26th. The impact caused significant ground currents in Norway. Also, the Goddard Space Weather Lab reports a "strong compression of Earth's magnetosphere. Simulations indicate that solar wind plasma [has penetrated] close to geosynchronous orbit starting at 13:00UT." Geosynchronous satellites could therefore be directly exposed to solar wind plasma and magnetic fields.

© Rob Stammes

Sept.26 2011,at 12.36 UTC a magnificent shockwave from a CME arrived in our atmosphere,with an effect on all of my instruments.The shockwave passed the ACE satellite at 11.52 UTC,just 44 minutes earlier.

Stay tuned for updates. Aurora alerts: text, voice.

http://www.sott.net/articles/show/235437-Coronal-Mass-Ejection-CME-hits-Earth-s-Magnetosphere-Today-Causes-Ground-Currents-In-Norway