Monday 22 April 2013

Impulsive class M1.0 flare Earthbound HD

 

A moderate solar flare reaching M1.0 was observed around Sunspot 1726 at 10:29 UTC this morning. The blast itself was impulsive in nature and a large Coronal Mass Ejection is not expected. This region maintains a fairly impressive magnetic structure, especially within the trailing spot cluster and has the potential for an even stronger event.

 

Also watch the froth of the magnetized, radioactive sea sunspot AR11726 bubble

Saturday 13 April 2013

Class M3.3 flare and Plasma Cloud Approaching Earth HD



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A gentle reminder, we are on a Geomagnetic Storm Watch this weekend from the class M6.5 flare and today add on to the plasma heading towards earth, another class M3.3 flare although for some reason Space Weather has not announced it yet. Nevertheless the flare is earth connected since the sunspot 11718 is smack directed into our face. You can't get more direct than this. Moderate G2 Level with a chance for Strong G3 Level Storming will be possible at high latitudes.
The ACE EPAM (Electron, Proton, and Alpha-particle Monitor) flux data continues to show a gradual rise, and this could be indicative of the approaching plasma cloud. The solar wind is currently near 400 km/s.
Although I do find it strange that I've not felt a satellite interference yet including some light dimming. Nada, it's strange indeed.
You all take care and be safe
Trudi

Thursday 11 April 2013

M6.5 Solar Flare + CME HD

  
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The strongest solar flare in quite some time took place within the past couple of hours around Sunspot 1719. The moderately strong event measuring M6.5 took place at 07:16 UTC. A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is now visible in the latest STEREO Ahead and STEREO Behind COR2 imagery. Because 1719 is now squarely facing Earth, the plasma should be directed this way. This will raise the chances of geomagnetic storming by this weekend.
Update
Geomagnetic Storm Watch
The Geomagnetic Field is currently at quiet levels. Things should change drastically heading into the weekend. A Geomagnetic Storm watch has been issued by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center for early on April 13th as a Coronal Mass Ejection is expected to sweep past Earth. Moderate G2 Level with a chance for Strong G3 Level Storming will be possible at high latitudes. Sky Watchers should be alert for visible aurora once the cloud arrives.

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Class M2.2 Flare and Amazing Beautiful Filaments Display HD



   



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Special display of southern region filament release and falling back into the sun.

Solar activity is currently at low levels. Only minor C-Class flares have been detected within the past 24 hours, with most of the activity surrounding Sunspots 1714, 1718 and 1719. Sunspot 1718 now has a Beta-Gamma magnetic configuration, but has shown some sunspot separation within the past 12 hours. There will remain a chance for C-Class solar flares and perhaps another isolated M-Class event.