Solar wind
speed: 441.8 km/sec
density: 5.36 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0242 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C3 1152 UT Jan02
24-hr: C9 0621 UT Jan02
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1445 UT

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Jan. 4th when a slow-moving CME is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. It was hurled in our direction by an M3.7-class solar flare (movie) in the magnetic canopy of sunspot AR3176 on Dec. 30th.

SUNSPOT COUNTS HIT 7 YEAR HIGH: 2022 ended with the highest monthly sunspot number in 7 years. This plot from NOAA shows the ascending progression of Solar Cycle 25:

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/02jan23/sunspotcycle_strip.png

For the 35th month in a row, Solar Cycle 25 is outperforming the official forecast. Conclusion: Solar Maximum will either happen sooner or be stronger than expected--possibly both. The next few years should have plenty of sunspots, solar flares, and CMEs. Happy New Year!

Solar wind
speed: 386.0 km/sec
density: 10.36 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0840 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C8 1845 UT Jan04
24-hr: C8 1845 UT Jan04
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2045 UT

CME IMPACT JOLTS EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD: As predicted, a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field on Jan. 4th (0254 UT). The impact jolted magnetometers around the world with the Canberra station in Australia registering a sudden impulse of 38 nT. It also ignited a G1-class geomagnetic storm. Pilot Matt Melnyk photographed the light show from 30,000 ft above Alberta, Canada:

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/04jan23/redeye_strip.jpg

Solar wind
speed: 350.6 km/sec
density: 7.46 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 0409 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1015 UT Jan05
24-hr: C8 1845 UT Jan04
Updated: Today at: 1615 UT

FARSIDE SUNSPOT EMERGES: A sunspot that produced a significant farside explosion on Jan. 3rd is emerging over the sun's southeastern limb. Its planet-sized dark core is inset in this image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory:

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/05jan23/emerging_strip.jpg

Although the sunspot is severely foreshortened and, probably, still partially hidden behind the edge of the sun, we know a lot about it. The Jan. 3rd blast shows it is capable of very strong flares (circumstantially X-class) and CMEs. It may even be an old friend--sunspot AR3163, which produced a fusillade of solar flares when it crossed the Earthside of the sun in December.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Jan. 5th as Earth passes through the wake of a CME that struck our planet yesterday. Arctic sky watchers should remain alert for auroras.

Solar wind
speed: 470.8 km/sec
density: 9.91 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 0126 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1226 UT Jan06
24-hr: X1 0057 UT Jan06
Updated: Today at: 1330 UT

X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE: Sunspot AR3182 is living up to the hype. Fully visible for less than 24 hours, the active sunspot has already produced an intense X1.2-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the eruption on Jan. 6th just before 0100 UT:

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/06jan23/x1p2_strip_opt.gif

The explosion inflated a dome of glowing-hot plasma, which hovered above the blast site for more than an hour. This may have contained the debris. So far no coronal mass ejection (CME) has been observed emerging from the area.

A pulse of X-rays and extreme UV radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing a shortwave radio blackout across South Pacific:

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/05jan23/blackoutmap_strip.jpg

Ham radio operators, mariners and aviators may have noticed unusual propagation effects at frequencies below 30 MHz for as much as an hour after the flare.

A DANGEROUS SUNSPOT: Newly-emerging sunspot AR3182 poses a threat for strong solar flares. On Jan. 3rd it produced a probable X-class eruption on the farside of the sun, followed on Jan. 6th by a definite X-flare on the Earthside. Given the size and apparent complexity of this large active region, there's a good chance the explosions will continue in the days ahead.

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/06jan23/definiteX.jpg

Solar wind
speed: 378.9 km/sec
density: 2.18 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 0136 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: M2 0901 UT Jan09
24-hr: M2 0901 UT Jan09
Updated: Today at: 1340 UT

WHERE THE ACTION IS: A new, hyperactive sunspot is emerging over the sun's southeastern limb: AR3184. This 10-hour movie from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured at least half-a-dozen eruptions, most of them M-class:

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2023/08jan23/limbactivity_strip_opt.gif

None of the debris plumes will hit Earth; the sunspot is not facing our planet. It will turn in our direction later this week. Meanwhile, amateur astronomers with solar telescopes should point their optics at the southeastern limb. It's where the action is.

INCREASING CHANCE OF FLARES: NOAA forecasters have boosted the odds of an X-flare today to 30%. Earth-facing sunspot AR3182 has developed an unstable 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field that poses a threat for strong explosions. Shortwave radio blackouts and Earth-directed CMEs are likely this week.