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The Mother's Day geomagnetic storm on May 10, 2024: Aurora Observations and Low Latitude Space Weather Effects in Mexico
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  • J. Americo Gonzalez-Esparza,
  • Elsa Sanchez-Garcia,
  • Maria A Sergeeva,
  • Pedro Corona-Romero,
  • Luis Xavier González,
  • E. Aguilar-Rodriguez,
  • Mario Rodriguez-Martinez,
  • Carlos Ramirez Pacheco,
  • C.I. Castellanos-Velazco,
  • Marni Pazos,
  • Blanca Mendoza,
  • Victor J. Gatica-Acevedo,
  • A. Melgarejo-Morales,
  • Ramon Caraballo,
  • E. Andrade,
  • Pablo Villanueva,
  • R. Bonifaz-Alfonzo,
  • Pablo Sierra,
  • Esmeralda Romero-Hernandez,
  • Ivan Peralta,
  • Eduardo Gerardo Pérez Tijerina,
  • J. F. Valdes-Galicia,
  • Julio Cesar Mejia-Ambriz,
  • Carlos Guerrero-Peña,
  • Ana Caccavari,
  • Gerardo Cifuentes,
  • E. Hernandez-Quintero
J. Americo Gonzalez-Esparza
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico - Campus Morelia

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
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Maria A Sergeeva
SCiESMEX, LANCE, CONACYT, Instituto de Geofisica, Unidad Michoacan, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Pedro Corona-Romero
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Luis Xavier González
LANCE/SCiESMEX, IGEOF, UNAM
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E. Aguilar-Rodriguez
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Mario Rodriguez-Martinez
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Carlos Ramirez Pacheco
Comision Federal de Electricidad
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C.I. Castellanos-Velazco
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Marni Pazos
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
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Blanca Mendoza
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Victor J. Gatica-Acevedo
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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A. Melgarejo-Morales
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Ramon Caraballo
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
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E. Andrade
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Pablo Villanueva
UNAM
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R. Bonifaz-Alfonzo
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Pablo Sierra
2Instituto de Geofísica y Astronomía, AMA-CITMA
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Esmeralda Romero-Hernandez
Facultad de Ciencias Fisico-Matematicas
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Ivan Peralta
Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon
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Eduardo Gerardo Pérez Tijerina
Facultad de Ciencias Físico-Matemáticas, UANL
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J. F. Valdes-Galicia
Julio Cesar Mejia-Ambriz
UNAM
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Carlos Guerrero-Peña
Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon
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Ana Caccavari
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
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Gerardo Cifuentes
UNAM
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E. Hernandez-Quintero
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
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Abstract

On May 10, 2024, a severe geomagnetic storm coinciding with Mother’s Day in Mexico lasted over 40 hours and produced polar auroras observable at low latitudes. This storm, the most intense since 2003, resulted from a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from active region 3664. The event was significant for space weather studies in Mexico, marking a milestone by enabling comprehensive measurements of its effects. The Mexico Space Weather Service (SCIESMEX) and the National Space Weather Laboratory (LANCE) had prepared for such an event since their inception. LANCE’s instrument networks recorded solar chromospheric images, solar radio bursts, geomagnetic variations, Schumann resonances, ionospheric disturbances, and energetic particle flows. They also monitored Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in four strategic substations of the national electrical system. This provided unprecedented insights into the dynamics of severe space weather events at the North-American low-latitude environment. Citizen science efforts documented auroras and regional responses, capturing variations in geomagnetic indices, ionospheric disturbances, cosmic ray fluxes, GICs, and technological impacts. SCIESMEX worked with the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) to issue warnings, ensuring public awareness and preparedness. This coordination underscores the importance of effective communication and collaboration in mitigating impacts. The May 2024 geomagnetic storm demonstrated the critical role of preparedness, research, and public education in reducing the effects of future space weather events in Mexico.
15 Aug 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
19 Aug 2024Published in ESS Open Archive