Latest News
11 December 07
The Geminids Meteor Shower is nearing its peak. Best viewing should be on Friday night/Saturday morning around 1am (14/15 December). Get out of the city and into dark (and hopefully clear) skies and look to the North-East. For full details of this and other Meteor Showers Click Here.
22 November 07
Massive depressions to usable HF frequencies are currently being experienced throughout the Southern Hemisphere. A T-index of -82 was calculated for the Australasian region using the data from the IPS ionosonde network. The massive reductions in usable HF frequencies relative to those expected for the current time of year and solar cycle are the uncommon result of particularly low levels of ionising radiation combined with a recent major geomagnetic storm. On 20 November geomagnetic and aurora alerts were issued by IPS indicating major geomagnetic activity. Ionospheric depressions are common after a major geomagnetic storm.
30 October 07
A recent intense lightning storm over the IPS Culgoora Solar Observatory has shown up clearly in the solar RF spectrograph taken at the time. The real-time spectrograph taken during the lightning storm shows clearly the enormous levels of atmospheric RF noise produced by lightning storms. Atmospheric noise due to lightning is the major source of external noise interference to radio communications in remote or rural locations. Compare with a normal (quiet) spectrograph.
16 October 07
The Orionids meteor shower is about to hit its peak. The Orionids meteor shower is a recurring annual event expected to produce spectacular shooting stars in Australian skies over the next few days. Clear, dark skies after midnight offer the best viewing possibilities. Follow this link for detailed viewing information for meteor showers and other recurring space-weather events.
04 May 07
The Aquarids Meteor Shower reaches its maximum around 6 May. Unfortunately, brightly moonlit skies are expected to obscure all but the brightest meteors. With its radiant located close to Aquarius, the Aquarids shower is in fact the result of the Earth passing through the 'flight path' of Halleys Comet. Follow this link for further details on upcoming meteor showers.
03 May 07
A large surge on the solar disk within sunspot region 953 was captured this morning at the IPS Culgoora Solar Observatory. While the associated flare was relatively small in terms of X-ray emissions (C9), H-alpha movies of the chromospere during the flare reveal rich dynamics in the underlying plage structure. The progress of the flare surge appears to follow the neutral line which separates the leader sunspot from the trailing sunspot regions. Studying such images adds to our understanding of the physical processes which occur during large solar flares. See Movie.
18 April 07
The annual Lyrids Meteor Shower is expected on 22/23 April. Follow this link for further details and viewing tips.
22 March 07
Further HF Radio Propagation Courses will be conducted in Melbourne and Hobart on 17 and 21 May, 2007. The one-day course will enhance understanding of HF radio propagation, explain the space-weather environment and increase the value of the IPS HF prediction and management services to our customers. Follow this link for further details.
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Educational