Solar wind
speed: 392.2 km/sec
density: 6.6 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1606 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B4 1147 UT Jan11
24-hr: C1 0838 UT Jan11
Updated: Today at: 1610 UT

Daily Sun: 11 Jan 22

All of these sunspots have stable magnetic fields that pose little threat for strong flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

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

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 6.1 nT
Bz: -3.0 nT south
Updated: Today at 1605 UT

Coronal Holes: 11 Jan 22

Solar wind flowing from this southern coronal hole should reach Earth on Jan 16-17. Credit: SDO/AIA

THE FORECAST CALLS FOR QUIET: Earth is in a void between solar wind streams. Quiet conditions are expected to prevail until the next stream arrives on Jan. 16th or 17th. This forecast could be upended by a solar flare. The sun is dotted with 3 numbered sunspot groups; unexpected explosions could occur at any time.

THE MORNING STAR IS BACK: On Saturday, Jan. 8th, Venus passed by the sun, moving from the evening to the morning sky. Paolo Bardelli woke up early this morning in Sumirago (Varese), Italy, and made a discovery: "Venus is back!"

Solar wind
speed: 510.8 km/sec
density: 5.3 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1511 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1142 UT Jan13
24-hr: C2 1142 UT Jan13
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1515 UT

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Jan. 16th when a stream of high-speed solar wind is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. The gaseous material is flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere. Arctic auroras could appear as early as Jan. 15th in response to a CIR traveling ahead of the stream.

Solar wind
speed: 365.9 km/sec
density: 8.9 protons/cm3

Updated: Today at 1606 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C4 1333 UT Jan14
24-hr: M1 0203 UT Jan14
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1610 UT

Solar wind
speed: 549.0 km/sec
density: 10.6 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 0951 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B5 0451 UT Jan17
24-hr: C2 2020 UT Jan16
Updated: Today at: 0955 UT

Daily Sun: 17 Jan 22

Last week, while it was on the farside of the sun, sunspot AR2932 was a source of intense activity. Now it is in decay. Credit: SDO/HMI

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 4 unsettled

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 4.3 nT
Bz: 4.2 nT north
Updated: Today at 0950 UT

Coronal Holes: 17 Jan 22

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

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible today, Jan. 17th, when a CME is expected to graze Earth's magnetic field. The storm cloud was hurled in our direction by a C4-class solar flare from sunspot AR2925 on Jan. 14th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.

Solar wind
speed: 549.8 km/sec
density: 10.9 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1045 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 0739 UT Jan18
24-hr: C2 1415 UT Jan17
Updated: Today at: 1050 UT

Daily Sun: 18 Jan 22


Sunspot AR2929 has a 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI