There are currently 8 sunspot groups visible, with both NOAA 2157 and 2158 dominating the outlook of the solar disk. Five C-class flares were recorded, with the strongest a C7.8 flare peaking at 19:43UT. All C-class flares originated from active region NOAA 2157. No earth-directed CMEs were observed. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is still enhanced, and currently at a steady 4 pfu. Both NOAA 2157 and 2158 have gained some sunspot area overnight, with magnetic delta structures prominently present.
There’s still a reasonable chance on an M-class flare. The warning condition for a proton event remains in effect.
On 8 September around 04:00UT, ACE observed a transient in the solar wind with wind speeds gradually increasing from a steady 340 km/s up to 430 km/s. The IMF continued pointing towards the Sun, with Bz evolving from an initial -3 nT towards its current +5 nT. Geomagnetic conditions remained quiet.
Quiet to unsettled geomagnetic conditions are expected for the next three days, possibly modulated by the high speed stream from a coronal hole that passed the central meridian on 5 September. On 10 September, there’s a chance on unsettled conditions with an isolated active period in response to the possible glancing blow from the 6 September CME.
SIDC
Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 09/08/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.
Observatory Sponli