A s t r o  A l e r t
                               Sun-Earth Alert

                          Solar Terrestrial Dispatch
                            http://www.spacew.com

                          10 November 2000, Update #1

     A strong interplanetary shock front slammed into the Earth´s
magnetosphere at almost 3 million kilometers per hour (almost 2 million
miles per hour) near 06:28 UTC (1:28 am EST) on 10 November. This may be
(and probably is) the unexpectedly early arrival of the anticipated coronal
mass ejection associated with the major solar proton flare that was observed
on 08 November.

     The Earth is currently passing through a chaotic solar wind stream
associated with the outer fringes of this coronal mass ejection. Minor to
major geomagnetic storming has commenced. Stronger episodes of activity may
be possible if the Earth passes through what is known as a "magnetic cloud".
However, at the time of this writing (11:50 UTC), there has been no evidence
of such a structure intersecting the Earth yet. Magnetic clouds are more
commonly associated with coronal mass ejections that impact the Earth more
directly head-on. This disturbance appears to be impacting at an oblique
angle which suggests the Earth is closer to the edge of the disturbance than
the center of the disturbance. So it is possible we might not observe a
"magnetic cloud" feature in this disturbance.

     Periods of minor to major geomagnetic storming are expected to continue
throughout the next 12 to 24 hours.

     Minor auroral substorming has been observed following the arrival of
this disturbance over the high and upper-middle latitude regions. Recent
data from the DMSP satellite suggests the equatorward edge of the auroral
oval may be positioned within the northern tier of the U.S. states. Periods
of additional minor substorming can be expected over the next 12 to 24
hours. More significant levels of auroral activity may be observed should
the Earth begin transiting through a magnetic cloud feature.

     Due to the early arrival of this disturbance, European observers are
encouraged to watch for possible levels of activity during the early evening
hours of 10 November. Observers in New Zealand and southeastern Australia
may be in an optimal position to observe periods of moderately strong
auroral activity. North American observers will have to wait until night
falls again and are encouraged to watch for possible activity during the
early evening hours of 10 November. Activity should drop toward quieter
levels later on 11 and particularly on 12 November.