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.

Solar wind
speed: 310.0 km/sec
density: 10.7 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1341 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 0826 UT Dec14
24-hr: C1 0826 UT Dec14
Updated: Today at: 1345 UT

Daily Sun: 14 Dec 21

Little sunspots are popping up all over the sun's SE quadrant. None poses a threat for strong flares--not yet. Credit: SDO/HMI

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

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 3.5 nT
Bz: -1.3 nT south
Updated: Today at 1340 UT

THE SOLAR WIND IS COMING: A stream of fast-moving solar wind could hit Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 16. The gaseous material is flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere. Polar geomagnetic unrest and Arctic auroras are expected when the solar wind arrives.

Solar wind
speed: 538.2 km/sec
density: 12.5 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1511 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C8 1044 UT Dec15
24-hr: C8 1044 UT Dec15
Updated: Today at: 1515 UT

Daily Sun: 15 Dec 21

Sunspot AR2907 is crackling with C-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 3 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
| more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 8.5 nT
Bz: 2.9 nT north
Updated: Today at 1510 UT

Coronal Holes: 15 Dec 21

Solar wind flowing from this southern coronal hole could reach Earth on Dec. 16. Credit: SDO/AIA

Solar wind
speed: 498.7 km/sec
density: 7.5 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1515 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1341 UT Dec16
24-hr: C2 1341 UT Dec16
Updated: Today at: 1520 UT

Daily Sun: 16 Dec 21

Sunspot AR2907 is crackling with C-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 5.9 nT
Bz: 2.2 nT north
Updated: Today at 1515 UT

Coronal Holes: 16 Dec 21

Earth is inside a stream of solar wind flowing from this southern coronal hole. Credit: SDO/AIA