First observed coronal mass ejection from the Middle East using cosmic rays

The Global Muon Detector Network (GMDN) was significantly enhanced by installing a multi-directional cosmic ray (CR) muon hodoscope at Kuwait University in March, 2006. The GMDN currently consists of four multi-directional muon detectors located at Nagoya (Japan), Hobart (Australia), S?o Martinho da Serra (Brazil) and Kuwait University (Kuwait). This Network continuously monitors the galactic CRs intensity in a total of 60 conventional directional channels covering almost the entire sky. It represents an important tool for forecasting the arrival of a storm sudden commencement (SSC) several hours in advance. We recorded a solar storm precursor on 14 December, 2006; this was the first time a Middle Eastern detector was involved in such an observation. It produced a severe geomagnetic storm that sparked Northern Lights as far south as Arizona, in the United States.