Solar wind
speed: 445.4 km/sec
density: 12.3 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1324 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 1127 UT Dec03
24-hr: B2 0256 UT Dec03
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1330 UT

ANTARCTIC SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Dec. 4th, the New Moon will pass in front of the sun, producing a total solar eclipse visible from parts of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Clouds permitting, at least one photographer in the area plans to send us photos of totality--so stay tuned!

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/2021-dec-4

Solar wind
speed: 481.0 km/sec
density: 7.2 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1351 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 0755 UT Dec04
24-hr: C4 0515 UT Dec04
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1355 UT

☀️ SOLAR EXPLOSION MISSES EARTH: Earth-orbiting satellites have just detected a C4-class solar flare (Dec 4th @ 05:15 UT). The source appears to be departing sunspot AR2898. Debris from the explosion will miss Earth because of the blast site's location near the southwestern edge of the sun.

Solar wind
speed: 465.4 km/sec
density: 10.0 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1455 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B4 0900 UT Dec05
24-hr: M1 0719 UT Dec05
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1500 UT

FARSIDE SOLAR ACTIVITY: A sunspot group on the farside of the sun is exploding--a lot. At least three CMEs have flown over the southwestern limb this weekend. Here is the brightest so far. The source of this activity is probably sunspot complex AR2898-2900, which rotated off the Earthside of the sun a few days ago.

Solar wind
speed: 488.3 km/sec
density: 8.6 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1751 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B3 1401 UT Dec06
24-hr: C1 1937 UT Dec05
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1755 UT

SOUTHERN EXPLOSION ON THE SUN: Yesterday, Dec. 5th, a magnetic filament in the sun's southern hemisphere exploded. The swirling debris will probably sail well south of our planet. NOAA analysts are running computer models now to confirm the miss.

Daily Sun: 06 Dec 21

All of these sunspots have stable, uncomplicated magnetic fields that pose no threat for strong solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Solar wind
speed: 431.3 km/sec
density: 4.4 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1209 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: A0 0823 UT Dec08
24-hr: B1 1905 UT Dec07
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1215 UT

A CME WILL BARELY MISS EARTH LATER THIS WEEK: On Dec. 5th, a magnetic filament in the sun's southern hemisphere exploded. The swirling debris will probably sail just south of our planet on Dec. 10th. No geomagnetic storms are expected, but the near miss could spark auroras around the poles.

Solar wind
speed: 385.6 km/sec
density: 3.7 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 2240 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: A2 1739 UT Dec08
24-hr: A4 1714 UT Dec08
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2325 UT

Daily Sun: 08 Dec 21

Sunspot AR2904 has a stable, uncomplicated magnetic field that poses no threat for strong solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 2 quiet

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 3.8 nT
Bz: -2.0 nT south

Updated: Today at 2240 UT

Coronal Holes: 08 Dec 21

There are no significant coronal holes on the Earthside of the sun. Credit: SDO/AIA

Solar wind
speed: 348.5 km/sec
density: 6.5 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1800 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: A1 1756 UT Dec09
24-hr: A1 1807 UT Dec08
Updated: Today at: 1805 UT

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 1 quiet

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 1.4 nT
Bz: 0.5 nT north
Updated: Today at 1800 UT

Solar wind
speed: 310.4 km/sec
density: 20.1 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1506 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: A7 1107 UT Dec10
24-hr: A7 0013 UT Dec10
Updated: Today at: 1510 UT

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 1 quiet

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 3.5 nT
Bz: 1.7 nT north
Updated: Today at 1505 UT

Solar wind
speed: 309.6 km/sec
density: 16.1 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 2044 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B3 1923 UT Dec13
24-hr: C1 2114 UT Dec12
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2050 UT

THE GEMINID METEOR SHOWER IS UNDERWAY: Earth has entered a stream of debris from rock comet 3200 Phaethon, source of the annual Geminid meteor shower. Last night, Dec. 12-13, NASA cameras recorded 46 Geminid fireballs over the USA. Many more are coming. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on Dec. 13-14 with as many as 100 meteors/hour visible from dark sky sites. Observing tips.