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

FAST-GROWING SUNSPOTS: Multiple large sunspots are growing near the sun's southeastern limb.The phalanx of dark cores is turning toward Earth, boosting the chances for an geoeffective eruption in the days ahead. NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of M-class solar flares on Dec. 16th.

Solar wind
speed: 373.8 km/sec
density: 5.3 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1945 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1610 UT Dec17
24-hr: M1 0051 UT Dec17
Updated: Today at: 1950 UT

Daily Sun: 17 Dec 21

New sunspot AR2911 is very active and capable of M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

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

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 2.3 nT
Bz: -0.4 nT south

Updated: Today at 1945 UT