NASA boosts Moon base plans as high speed wind hits Earth

On 2026-11-09, the planetary Kp index climbed to a peak of 4, a moderate unsettlement that stopped well short of the storms seen in the archive. By late evening, conditions settled significantly, with the latest reading measured at a quiet 2.3. Data from the NOAA SWPC confirmed a brisk solar wind speed of 725 km/s, though the southward component of the interplanetary magnetic field, the Bz, remained at a negligible -0.4 nT. This lack of a strong magnetic connection meant the aurora stayed largely dormant, with the hemispheric power output recorded at 0 GW.

Space weather activity remained subdued throughout the day. The sun produced only minor C-class flaring, keeping the immediate environment stable for satellite operations. Tracking data from NASA CNEOS identified 2019 XF2 as the nearest asteroids approach, passing safely at a distance that posed no threat to our orbit.

For those looking skyward, the season for the Leonids meteor shower was firmly underway. Though the main peak was not scheduled until 2026-11-18, the shower remained active between 06/11 and 30/11. Observers noted a slow increase in activity, with the zenithal hourly rate approaching 15 meteors per hour as the Earth moved through the debris field of the parent comet, 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. The radiant point sat steadily within the constellation of Leo, inviting early-morning vigils for those with clear skies.

This date provided a standard look at our immediate cosmic neighbourhood, free from the volatility that occasionally disrupts global infrastructure. Whether you were checking the local forecast for visual imagery or brushing up on the glossary of solar terminology, 09/11 served as a reminder of the quiet, constant mechanics governing the space between the Earth and the Sun. There were no reports of UAP sightings to complicate the tracking data for the day.