Coronal Holes: 21 Jan 22

Solar wind flowing from this coronal hole should reach Earth on Jan 25. Credit: SDO/AIA

WEEKEND AURORA OUTLOOK: Updated modeling by NOAA forecasters suggests that only one CME will pass near Earth in the days ahead. A single glancing blow is expected on Jan. 22nd or 23rd when a CME from the Jan. 18th M1.5-class solar flare arrives. The impact could spark bright auroras inside the Arctic Circle.

Solar wind
speed: 433.3 km/sec
density: 6.1 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1452 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B2 1022 UT Jan22
24-hr: B6 0708 UT Jan22
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1455 UT

Daily Sun: 21 Jan 22
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Departing sunspot AR2929 poses a continued threat for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Current Auroral Oval:

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 4.2 nT
Bz: -2.0 nT south
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1450 UT

Coronal Holes: 21 Jan 22



Solar wind flowing from this coronal hole should reach Earth on Jan 25. Credit: SDO/AIA

Noctilucent Clouds The southern hemisphere season for noctilucent clouds has begun. NASA's AIM spacecraft detected the first electric-blue puffs over Antarctica on Dec. 14th.

(2018 CW2)
Upcoming Earth-asteroid encounters

https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=2018%20CW2

2022-Feb-18 2018 CW2

(2018 CW2)
Upcoming Earth-asteroid encounters

https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=2018%20CW2

2022-Feb-18 2018 CW2

GLANCING-BLOW CMEs: In recent days, the sun has produced multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs). None of them is heading directly toward Earth; nevertheless, they might touch our planet.

Glancing blows are possible on Jan. 23rd, 24th, and 25th. The impacts, if they occur, are not expected to cause geomagnetic storms but could brighten auroras inside the Arctic Circle.

A SUNSET FROM TONGA? When the sun goes down tonight, take a look at the fading sky. If the twilight turns purple, you might have spotted a "Tonga sunset." Heiko Ulbricht photographed this example Jan. 21st in Großopitz, Germany.

Solar wind
speed: 312.1 km/sec
density: 11.1 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0734 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 0237 UT Jan24
24-hr: C1 0237 UT Jan24
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 0810 UT

Daily Sun: 24 Jan 22


These two sunspots are stable and quiet. Credit: SDO/HMI

Current Auroral Oval:

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 0 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 2 quiet
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 3.4 nT
Bz: 0.1 nT north
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0734 UT

Coronal Holes: 24 Jan 22

Solar wind flowing from this coronal hole should reach Earth on Jan 25-26. Credit: SDO/AIA

FARSIDE SUNSPOTS: NASA's STEREO-A spacecraft is monitoring three ultraviolet hotspots on the farside of the sun. Because of their compact morphology, they are probably sunspots. The trio will rotate into view early this week, potentially bringing a sharp increase in sunspot number.

Solar wind
speed: 342.2 km/sec
density: 35.6 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0840 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 0553 UT Jan25
24-hr: C2 0553 UT Jan25
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 0845 UT