Solar Cycle 24 Delivers a Class X3.2 CME HD

  

The most powerful flare to date - Solar Maximum does not disappoint.

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Update from yesterdays class X1.7 and class X2.8 coronal ejection.

All other visible sunspot regions appear to be stable at this time. There will remain a chance for moderate M-Class solar flares and perhaps another isolated X-Class event within the next 24-48 hours, particularly around Sunspot 11748.

Class X1.7 & Class X2.8 CME ALERTS HD

  

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A sunspot on the sun's eastern limb is crackling with powerful X-class solar flares. It announced itself with an X1.7-class eruption on May 13th at 0217 UT, quickly followed by an X2.8-class flare at 1609 UT. These are the strongest flares of 2013, and they signal a significant uptick in solar activity. More eruptions are in the offing.

 ALERT: Type II Radio Emission

Begin Time: 2013 May 13 1557 UTC

Estimated Velocity: 949 km/s

Description: Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate a coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event.

ALERT: Type IV Radio Emission

Begin Time: 2013 May 13 1557 UTC

Description: Type IV emissions occur in association with major eruptions on the sun and are typically associated with strong coronal mass ejections and solar radiation storms.

SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst

Begin Time: 2013 May 13 1553 UTC

Maximum Time: 2013 May 13 1601 UTC

End Time: 2013 May 13 1618 UTC

Duration: 25 minutes

Peak Flux: 520 sfu

Description: A 10cm radio burst indicates that the electromagnetic burst associated with a solar flare at the 10cm wavelength was double or greater than the initial 10cm radio background. This can be indicative of significant radio noise in association with a solar flare. This noise is generally short-lived but can cause interference for sensitive receivers including radar, GPS, and satellite communications.

Class M5.7 CME - M1.3 Flare Solar Magnetic Tornado HD

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Sunspot group AR1739, just now emerging over the sun's northeastern limb, erupted on May 3rd, producing an M5-class solar flare and a "solar tornado."  watch the plasma twist.
The explosion also hurled a bright coronal mass ejection (CME) into space:  Traveling almost 1300 km/s, the electrified cloud is expected to sweep past a couple of NASA spacecraft (EPOXI and Spitzer) on May 7th. No planets, however, were in the line of fire

Class M1.1 CME and class C9.6 CME MONSTER FARSIDE ERUPTION HD

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Solar activity is now at moderate levels thanks to an isolated M1.1 Solar Flare around Sunspot 1731 in the northern hemisphere. A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is visible in the latest STEREO Ahead COR2 imagery. It appears that a majority of the plasma cloud was directed north of the Sun-Earth field.
Auroras this weekend.

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

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

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.