Tag Archives: Solar wind

The Sun Online and solar activity. September 14, 2014

There are currently 6 sunspot groups visible on the solar disk. Eight low-level C-class flares and one M-class flare were observed during the period. The latter reached a maximum of M1.5 at 02:16UT, and originated in NOAA 2157. The CME associated to this event was first observed by LASCO at 03:12UT. It had a speed of about 350 km/s (CACTus), but has no Earth-directed component. NOAA 2157 and NOAA 2158 continue their decay. However, together with NOAA 2164, they have spots of opposite magnetic polarity close to each other. Hence, they may still produce an M-class flare. Filament eruptions observed around 16:30UT (northeast quadrant) and 20:00UT (south of NOAA 2163) were not related to earth-directed CMEs.
M-class flares remain possible. Solar wind speed decreased from about 600 km/s to 500 km/s, while Bz
decreased from +15 nT to a steady +6 nT. Geomagnetic conditions were quiet and are expected to remain so.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 14/08/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. September 13, 2014

There are currently 6 sunspot groups visible on the solar disk. The most prominent groups, NOAA 2157 and 2158, are decaying. These groups still have spots of opposite magnetic polarity close to each other. A total of 7 C-class flares were recorded. The strongest flare of the period was a C3.3 peaking at 20:12UT. It occurred in an unnumbered sunspot region close to the southwest limb. NOAA 2166 is a small group embedded in a large plage area in the northeast quadrant, and produced only a C1 flare. Two filament eruptions were observed around 23:50UT and 03:40UT, but the associated CMEs were not Earth directed. Other CMEs, first observed by SOHO/LASCO on 12 September at 18:24UT and 21:48UT, were related to backside events and will not affect Earth. The proton event related to the X1 flare ended at 23:10UT.
Further C-class flaring is expected, with a chance on an M-class flare. The arrival of the halo CME related to the X1 flare from 10 September was observed by SOHO/CELIAS as a shock in the solar wind on 12 September at 15:27UT. Wind speed increased abruptly from 430 to 670 km/s, and further
increased to a maximum of nearly 800 km/s around 22:00UT. Bz was oriented southward between 20:30 and 22:00UT with maximum values near -17nT, then abruptly turned northward to steady values around +20 nT. The period between 21:00UT and 24:00UT was geomagnetically the most intense, with Kp
reaching 7 (strong geomagnetic storm), and local K-indices at Dourbes and Potzdam reaching 6 (moderate storming). Geomagnetic conditions then quieted down, with currently unsettled to active conditions observed. Quiet to unsettled geomagnetic conditions are expected, with locally a brief active period possible in the aftermath of yesterday’s geomagnetic storm.
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Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 13/08/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. September 12, 2014

Over the last 24 hours, 2 M-class flares were produced by a currently unnumbered region at the northeast limb: an M2.1 flare peaking at 15:26UT, and an M1.4 flare peaking at 21:26UT. NOAA 2157 and 2158 produced 2 C-class flares each. The strongest was a C9.5 flare peaking at 02:24UT in NOAA
2157. Both of these regions have no longer a delta structure, but spots of opposite magnetic polarity are still close together. Based on the currently available imagery, no CMEs seem to have been associated to these flares. M-class flares are expected, with a chance on an X-class event.
On 11 September around 23:00UT, ACE observed a shock in the solar wind. Wind speed abruptly changed from about 350 to 480 km/s. Bz oscillated between -14 and +11nT. This was the arrival of the halo CME related to the M4-flare from 9 September. The impact resulted in active geomagnetic conditions (Dourbes), while Kp reached minor geomagnetic storm levels. Also the proton flux slightly increased. The arrival of the halo CME from the X1 flare is expected for later today. Pending the orientation of the CME’s magnetic field, this may result in a major geomagnetic storm, with locally severe geomagnetic storming possible.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 12/08/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. September 9, 2014

There are currently 8 sunspot groups visible. NOAA 2157 seems to be slightly declining and simplifying. NOAA 2158 developed some small spots to the west and south of the main spot. Except for the northern part, this main spot is now completely surrounded by opposite magnetic polarity flux. Both NOAA 2157 and 2158 retained their delta structures. Two C-class flares and 1 M-class flare were recorded. The strongest event was a long duration M4.5 flare peaking at 00:29UT and originating in NOAA 2158. SDO/AIA-imagery indicated post-flare coronal loops, coronal dimming and an EIT-wave. A type II radio-burst with an associated shock speed of 999 km/s was observed. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux, currently still enhanced at 2 pfu, has not increased in response to this flare (so far). The M4.5 flare was associated to a halo CME first observed by SOHO/LASCO on 9 September at 00:06UT, with a plane-of-the-sky speed around 560 km/s . The bulk of the CME is directed away from the Earth (to the northeast), but there’s still a good chance Earth will be impacted by the CME-driven shock. Estimated impact time is 12 September at 03:00UT, with an uncertainty of 12 hours.
There remains a reasonable chance on an M-class flare. The warning condition for a proton event remains in effect.
Solar wind speed was mostly between 350 and 450 km/s, with Bz oscillating between +5 and -5 nT. Geomagnetic conditions were 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. On 12 September, the impact of the halo CME related to the M4.5 flare from 9 September may result in active conditions and possibly a brief period of minor
geomagnetic storming.
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

The Sun Online and solar activity. August 11, 2014

There were two low C flares during the past 24 hours. The brightest flare (C1.6) was released by NOAA AR 2137 and peaked around 12:34 UT on August 10. In the next 48 hours, eruptive conditions (C flaring) are likely, especially from AR 2137, AR 2132, and from two unnumbered regions near the
East limb.Over the last 24 hours, solar wind speed as observed by ACE increased from about 300 to about 420 km/s, probably under the influence of a coronal hole high speed stream. The magnitude of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) varied between 8 and 11 nT. Over the past 24 hours, geomagnetic conditions were quiet (K Dourbes between 1 and 3; NOAA Kp between 1 and 2) except for one three-hour excursion of active conditions (K Dourbes = 4) between 18h and 21h UT on August 10. Quiet geomagnetic levels (K Dourbes < 4) are expected on August 11, 12, and 13, with possible excursions to active levels on August 13 due to the arrival of another coronal hole high speed stream.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 08/11/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. August 5, 2014

Flaring activity remains low. The strongest flare today was a C1.7 flare occurring in NOAA AR 2132 with peak time 11:30 UT. We expect further flaring at the C-class level, especially from NOAA AR 2130 and 2132, with a small chance for an isolated M-class flare. No earth-directed CMEs were observed since our last bulletin.Still under the influence of a coronal hole high speed stream, the solar wind speed has increased up to 450 km/s, while the total magnetic field strength is currently at 6.4 nT. Geomagnetic
conditions remain unsettled (k up to 3). We expect a return to quiet conditions in the coming hours. On August 7 unsettled conditions may occur due to the possible arrival of another coronal hole wind stream.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 08/05/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. July 21, 2014

Solar activity has been quiet in the last 24 hours with the background X-ray flux steady around the B2 level. Only a couple of minor B flares have occurred. The largest was a B3.4 flare peaking around 8:47 UT associated with the unnumbered active region that is about to turn onto the visible solar disc from behind the East limb. There are currently only three active regions on the solar disc. NOAA AR 2018 and 2020 are stable alpha regions while the beta region 2019 does show signs of further development.
No significant CME’s were reported. Quiet conditions are expected to continue with only a slight chance on flaring at C level. The all quiet alert is presently maintained but this may need to be revised if NOAA AR 2019 continues to grow and depending on the nature of the active region(s) that are turning onto the disc from behind the East limb.Solar wind speed remained at low levels around the 280 km/s, while the interplanetary magnetic field increased to around the 6 nT level with Bz varying and currently reaching levels of around -4nT. Geomagnetic conditions were quiet with local K Dourbes and NOAA Kp in the
0-2 range. Quiet conditions are expected to continue although some influence of a coronal hole high speed stream can possibly cause enhanced solar wind conditions and associated unsettled geomagnetic conditions in the next 24 to 48 hours.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop
Date: 07/21/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. July 11, 2014

Two C-class and one M-class flares were observed in the past 24 hours. A C7.4 flare originated from Catania sunspot region 16 (NOAA AR 2113) peaking at 21:13 UT on July 10, almost immediately followed by an impulsive M1.5 flare from Catania sunspot region 5 (NOAA AR 2106). The CME of July 10 has further extended to an asymmetric halo CME, but is propagating mainly west of the Sun-Earth line. No additional Earth-affecting CMEs were identified. Flaring activity is expected to continue at the level of C-class flares, with a slight chance for an isolated M-class flare.Solar wind speed is near 400 km/s, as measured by ACE. The magnitude of interplanetary magnetic field was stable with values near 5 nT with a Bz component fluctuating between -4 and +4 nT. Geomagnetic conditions have been quiet to unsettled and are expected to remain so till the possible arrival of a glancing blow July 8 CME. Active conditions are expected on the UT evening of July 11. Active conditions are also possible on the UT morning of July 13, due to the arrival of a glancing blow of the July 9 CME.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 07/11/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. July 8, 2014

The strongest flare of the past 24 hours, a C4.0 flare peaking at 09:02 UT, originated from Catania sunspot group 16 (NOAA active region 2113). This region has grown in size and complexity. Catania sunspot groups 6 and 9 (NOAA AR 2108 and 2109) keep their delta component and retain their flaring
potential with a moderate chance for M-class flares.
Solar wind speed is between 290 to 350 km/s, as measured by ACE. The interplanetary magnetic field reached a magnitude of 10 nT with a fluctuating Bz. Geomagnetic conditions have been quiet and are expected to remain so until the arrival of a fast speed stream from a small coronal hole that is expected to result in active conditions on July 9-10.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 07/08/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

The Sun Online and solar activity. June 30, 2014

There are currently 8 sunspot groups visible, with NOAA 2104 and NOAA 2107 the most complex and having a small delta. These two regions, together with an active area near the northeast limb, produced most of the C-class flares observed during the last 24 hours. The strongest event was a C3.4-flare peaking at 04:19UT on 30 June. No CMEs with an Earth directed component were observed. Further C-class flares are expected, with a chance on an M-class flare in particular from NOAA 2104. The solar wind speed was around 350 km/s over the last 24 hours. Bz was negative between 22:00 and 02:00UT (max. value around -8 nT), then mainly positive at +5 nT. Geomagnetic conditions were quiet with an usettled period around midnight. A small equatorial coronal hole passed the central meridian early on 27 June and may influence the geomagnetic field on 1 July.
Quiet geomagnetic conditions are expected, with locally a brief active episode possible.
SIDC

Equipment: Coronado 90 + Imaging Source DMK + LX75
Processing: Photoshop, Avistack 300 frames
Date: 06/30/14
Time UT: 16:00
Exposure 1/500 sec.

Observatory Sponli

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