BARREL Daily update: December 29th

Hi all, 

The sun appears to be quiet for the moment. We did see a GRB early this morning, but otherwise it has been quiet. We may be able to launch another payload tomorrow from either station so we will keep you up to date as we hear from the teams on the ice. 

Ground Weather:

SANAE IV: 

Temp.: -14 C

Wind speed: 18 knots 

Halley 6: 

Temp.: -3.6 C

Wind speed: 4 knots 

Payloads up: Possible launch tomorrow from either or both Halley and SANAE

SANAE IV: none  

Halley 6:  2T

Payloads coming down:

none 

Collection times for EFW:

2013-12-29

A: 18:50 - 21:50 (MLTs from 11-14)

B: 19:00 - 22:00 (MLTs from 11-13.5)

2013-12-30 (nice pass b/t stations)
A: 15:45 - 18:45  (mlts from 14 - 16.4)
B: 14:00 - 18:00 (mlts from 12 - 16)

2013-12-31 (nice pass just to West of stations)
A: 16:00 - 18:00 (mlts from 12 - 13.5)
     19:45 - 21:45 (mlts from 14.5 - 16)
B: 17:15 - 19:30 (mlts from 12-14)
     20:00 - 22:30 (mlts from 14-16)

2014-01-01 (pass quite a ways to the West of stations)
A: 19:15 - 20:45 (mlts from 12 - 13)
     23:00 - 2014-01-02/00:30 (mlts from 14.5 - 16)
B: 20:00 - 21:30 (mlts from 11 - 13)

2014-01-02 (pass quite a ways to the West of stations)
B: 00:30 - 02:00 (mlts from 15 - 14.9)

Halley Bay :

perhaps a tiny tiny EMIC wave early this morning. 

GOES Electron Flux:

The electron flux is normal and expected to stay normal over the next three days.

GOES Proton Flux:

The proton flux has returned to normal and is expected to stay normal over the next three days. 

Space Weather from Spaceweather.com and SWPC.noaa.gov 

Solar wind speed: 357.9 km/s 

Solar proton density: 13.1 cm^(-3)  

Sun spot number: 95 

NOAA has the likelihood of a M class flare at 25% and a 1% chance of an X class flare.  

Kp is quiet 

kp = 1 with a 24 max of kp = 2

Bz = 3.3 nT north

Btotal = 4.6 nT  

There is new coronal hole starting to show up on the Eastern limb of the sun which may be able to reach us on Jan 2 - 3. This coronal hole appears to be more equator ward than the previous one. 

From Kyoto:

AE: some small enhancements 

Dst: quiet. 

Have a good day,